Mamelodi Sundowns on Brink of Securing R1 Billion Payout by Qualifying for FIFA Club World Cup

• Mamelodi Sundowns are still on course to qualify for next year's FIFA Club World Cup in the United States
• The Club World Cup has now been expanded to 32 teams and each side will earn €50 million for qualifying
• Al Ahly could help their rivals qualify for the tournament by winning this season's CAF Champions League

Mamelodi Sundowns are closing in on a R1 billion payout.

The DStv Premiership champions are nearing qualification for a major FIFA tournament but could use the help of a current rival to speed along the process.

While Masandawana share a rivalry with Egyptian giants Al Ahly, they will now hope that the Red Devils can do them a favour.

The tournament Sundowns could qualify for

iDiski Times reported that the Brazilians are on the brink of qualifying for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States next year.

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Rulani Mokwena’s side can either qualify for the tournament by winning this year’s Champions League or finishing in the top four in the African rankings.

Each participant in the revamped 32-team tournament are reportedly set to receive €50 million just for qualifying, which equates to approximately R1 billion.

What are Sundowns’ chances of qualifying?

The South Africans are still firm favourites to be one of 32 sides competing in the tournament next year.

Sundowns are through to the semi-final of the Champions League, where they will face Esperance de Tunis. Winning that two-legged tie will mean they would have to beat Al Ahly or TP Mazembe in the final to guarantee their place in the USA.

Sundowns and Esperance can qualify if Al Ahly beat the Congolese side in the other semi.

Should TP Mazembe fail to win the final, the South Africans and Tunisians will progress as Africa’s third and fourth-ranked sides, Soccer Laduma noted.

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They would then join the Egyptian side and Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca as Africa’s four representatives.

Sundowns head to Tunisia for semi-final game

Sports Brief reported how Sundowns were drawn to face Esperance de Tunis in the semi-final of the Champions League.

The South African side booked their place in the last four by beating Tanzania’s Young Africans in the quarter-finals.

Defending champions Al Ahly will face DR Congo's TP Mazembe in the other semi, looking to continue their dominance.