25/04/2025 08:12
By Lukman Abdul Mumin ( Twitter/@LukmanEvergreen)The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will mark a historic moment in football following the expansion of the tournament, with the crme de la crme of the various continents parading in the United States for the right to be crowned the best in the world.In previous years, continental champions, assemble and battle it out for the ultimate with Europe dominating the competition as they enter at the semi-final stages.However, the new format, with eight groups and 32 teams, means all clubs have an equal chance of winning the coveted trophy.With 50 days to the start of the competition, there will be a huge Ghanaian interest in the United States with players from the West African country or having ties to the nation set to participate.Chelsea's Ghanaian quartetThe English Premier League giants and former winners of the competition have the largest number of players with Ghanaian heritage in Europe this season. Four of their youngsters from the academy set up have enjoyed first team football, featuring mostly in the Conference League. These players may have been born in England but remain eligible to play for the Black Stars.Enzo Maresca is expected to travel to the United States with Josh Acheampong, Tyrique Delali Yusuff George, Samuel Rak-Sakyi and Ato Ampah.
Four Chelsea youngsters who featured against Astana in the Conference League are of Ghanaian descent:
Josh AcheampongTyrique GeorgeAto AmpahSamuel Rak-SakyiFuture Black Stars? pic.twitter.com/i60zVXUtH4 ESPN Africa (@ESPNAfrica) December 12, 2024Ampah was born in Ghana before moving to England at a very young age.Chelsea have been drawn in Group C alongside Esperance de Tunis, Flamengo of Brazil and Club Leon.Red Bull Salzburg's trioAnother club with a strong Ghanaian continent is Red Bull Salzburg. The club has been a feeder club for Ghanaian club West African Football Academy in the past, overseeing the progress of several footballers including Black Stars players Majeed Ashimeru and Gideon Mensah.Ahead of the tournament in America, the Austrian giants will be naming a squad that includes three Ghanaian players.Edmund Baidoo, who was born in Ghana joined the club last summer and has been an important member of the first team. He joins Samson Baidoo, who was born in Austria to Ghanaian parents and has represented the Europeans at junior levels.Whenever Ive watched RB Salzburg in UEFA Youth League this season, Edmund Baidoo has been a standout player.
Constant attacking driving force, a relentless winger with mazy dribbling, very direct, gets off a lot of shots. Hes scored today against Atlticos U19s in the RO16. pic.twitter.com/NxLjmJBcJC Ben Mattinson (@Ben_Mattinson_) March 4, 2025Hendry Blank, born in Germany and a former player of Borussia Dortmund, is the other Ghanaian player in the team.Red Bull Salzburg are in Group H alongside record European champions Real Madrid, Saudi giants Al Hilal and Pachuca.Pep Guardiola's best player, Jeremy DokuAfter the game against Aston Villa on Tuesday evening, Pep Guardiola described Belgian-Ghanaian winger Jeremy Doku as the best in the world.He is the best player in the world over the first five metres," said Guardiola after the victory over Aston Villa."The best player in the world in the first five metres!"
Pep Guardiola was dishing out the praise to Jeremy Doku pic.twitter.com/HL2NH621PY Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) April 23, 2025The Spanish trainer has had to rely on the explosiveness of the winger and could count on him at the FIFA Club World Cup in the summer.Manchester City will battle it out in Group G against Juventus, Al Ain and Wydad Athletic Club.Mike Aidoo, Inter's budding talentMike Aidoo made his senior appearance for Inter Milan this season in the Coppa Italia. The 18-year-old is hoping for more opportunities and the FIFA Club World Cup could be the right place to get his biggest breakthrough. With the Italians already planning for the future as their squad ages, Aidoo is expected to be a key part of Simeon Inzaghi's plan.Esordio per Aidoo #ForzaInter #InterUdinese #CoppaItaliaFrecciarossa pic.twitter.com/TKu0mc7K4V
Inter (@Inter) December 19, 2024The 2010 European Champions make a return to the competition after winning it the same year.This Nerazurris are in Group E alongside Monterrey, River Plate and Urawa Reds.Solomon Sosu and Samuel Obeng from the Arab regionSolomon Sosu plies his trade for UAE giants Al Ain, the current Asian champions. The defender has been an integral member of Al Ain and will be expected to travel with the team to the United States. He will be coming up against compatriot Samuel Obeng, who left Europe to join Wydad AC last year. Obeng, a former Ghana U23 star will be hoping to make history with the Moroccan outfit in USA.The two clubs have been drawn in Group G alongside holders Man City and Italian giants Juventus.
