‘Most Successful Ever' Team Al Ahly Gets Set For FIFA Club World Cup
Spanish coach José Riveiro is under no illusions.
In most roles, winning back-to-back league titles, two domestic honors, a couple of continental crowns, four consecutive Super Cups, and an African-Asian-Pacific trophy represents more than enough credit in the bank—especially within three years.
But it's a little different at the Egyptian superteam Al Ahly. A significant portion of Egypt's soccer fan population supports the Red Devils (not to be muddled with Manchester United), which carries an expectation to win, win, and win. It's hard to dispute that 15-time European Cup champion Real Madrid is the most successful club in global soccer. Yet, by the quantity of silverware, Al-Ahly is out in front; its official website exhibits an unparalleled 155 trophies.
Marcel Koller has lived it. Despite winning the first mentioned haul of prizes between September 2022 and April 2025, he was out of a job following Al Ahly's exit from Africa's version of the Champions League at the semifinal stage this season just finished. So, his replacement, Riveiro, has an exacting task on his hands, one of which is turning a few heads at the Club World Cup, where Al-Ahly will, on this occasion, be a small fish in a big pond.
The Egyptians kick off the expanded tournament against Lionel Messi-fronted Inter Miami this June 14 (in the United States)—a game crucial to FIFA. Having negotiated a reported €877 million ($1 billion)—also its prize money—deal with broadcaster DAZN, the governing body now wants as much revenue as possible from sponsorships and gate receipts. It's relying on lots of eyeballs—especially because DAZN's basic coverage of the aspirational competition is free to view.
However, early indications are the show's pull is weaker than FIFA hoped, with ticket prices tumbling and the prospect of thousands of empty seats for the opening fixture. There's little doubt the president, Gianni Infantino, wanted Cristiano Ronaldo's magnetism to push things along, but the Portuguese isn't eyeing an appearance. FIFA is swimming against the tide, and the Inter Miami-Al Ahly spectacle will hint at what's to come.
The complexly designed trophy will be given to the best team on July 13, a month or so before next ... More season begins in earnest.
All the same, an impressive performance from Al-Ahly would start the competition in style.
For some big hitters touching down in the U.S., the Club World Cup is inconvenient after a long season. For a team like Al Ahly, it's a golden ticket to test its might against the very best. Notwithstanding FIFA's €219 million ($250 million) solidarity payout to clubs worldwide, the typically strong European names will pocket more from participating in the show than sides from other confederations. Still, the bonuses will bolster an already strong Al Ahly in Egypt.
Indeed, Al-Ahly has a financial leg-up over competitors back home. With social media support rivaling most Premier League big shots, it also operates as a general sports entity—with basketball, handball, and other teams part of the brand—and can draw healthy income from high-end club membership fees. Incidentally, Manchester City star Omar Marmoush began his career at another Egyptian club, Wadi Degla, which also has the ubiquitous sports and leisure model built in.
Naturally, Al-Ahly has the pick of quality players. Ex-Aston Villa forward Mahmoud Trézéguet is among the squad for the matches ahead, while Emam Ashour scores an impressive number of goals from midfield. But to say Al-Ahly's dominance is all you need to know about Egyptian soccer goes wide of the mark. The Cairo giant, established as a counter to British colonial rule in 1907, is a rival to Zamalek, with the pair cooking up one of the most ferocious soccer derbies anywhere. And in recent times, Pyramids FC—bought and rebranded as such by Turki Al-Sheikh seven years ago—has shaken up the natural order a little.
All told, how Al Ahly fares at the Club World Cup won't have much bearing in North Africa. It will remain the force in a country whose leagues include state or privately-owned sides with virtually no fanbases. Instead, the national scene is arguably the main talking point from here on in. There's criticism that Egypt's football association isn't doing enough for young talents soon to lead the next generation—this from a land that boasts Liverpool idol Mohamed Salah.
As for Al Ahly, even going far in the Club World Cup may be up there with some of the many achievements from its gold-plated 118-year history.
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