Al Ahly and Esperance: What are the chances of Arab clubs qualifying for the 2029 World Cup?

Anticipation continues in Africa regarding the clubs that will secure their places in the upcoming 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, with particular interest in the chances of Arab clubs, notably Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Espérance de Tunis, in reaching the global tournament.

The competition is heading towards the CAF Champions League, which is one of the main routes to qualify for the World Cup, according to the participation system established by FIFA. Meanwhile, Al Ahly are participating in the CAF Confederation Cup this season after missing out on the Champions League, while several of their rivals are looking to leverage their continental participation to compete for the title.

Mamelodi Sundowns and Pyramids have secured their places in the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, while the chances of the other clubs depend on the results of continental competitions and the regulations governing qualification.

Tunisian club Espérance's chances of qualifying for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.

Espérance Tunis aims to return to global competition, with winning the CAF Champions League seen as the direct path to securing a spot in the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.

The draw for the group stage of the CAF Champions League has placed the Tunisian team in Group A alongside Mauritania's Nouadhibou, Petro de Luanda, and Angolan sides Wiliete. This is a group that Espérance aims to navigate successfully in order to continue their journey towards the continental title.

In the African club rankings, Espérance de Tunis is in third place with 58 points, according to the figures in the report, behind Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns, who top the rankings.

Al Ahly's path back to the World Cup.

Al Ahly face a different situation in the race for qualification for the 2029 edition, having missed out on the CAF Champions League this season, and will instead participate in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Winning the African Champions League in one of the qualifying editions represents a direct path for the Red team to return to the Club World Cup, making the restoration of their presence in the most important continental tournament a central goal in their future plans.

Al Ahly are currently second in the African club rankings with 66 points, according to the report, behind Mamelodi Sundowns, who lead the table with 73 points.

Despite its continental status and high ranking, Al Ahly's chances of qualification remain tied to the participation system for the upcoming edition, and the ranking alone is not enough to secure a World Cup spot.

Zamalek dreams of its first participation in the Club World Cup.

Zamalek are looking to make their first appearance in the history of the FIFA Club World Cup, with their victory in the CAF Champions League being one of the pathways that could lead them to the global tournament, according to the established qualification system.

The white team is competing in the group stage of Group B, which includes Espérance de Tunis, CR Belouizdad, and Young Africans, in a competition where they aim to reach the knockout stages and enhance their chances of competing for the title.

Zamalek sits sixth in the African club rankings with 49 points, according to the figures in the report, behind several of the continent's top clubs, including Al Ahly, Esperance, and Sundowns.

However, the ranking alone does not determine the White team's chances of reaching the World Cup, as the qualification mechanism depends on the number of slots allocated to Africa and the regulations set by FIFA for the upcoming edition.

Amid Esperance's ambition to restore their continental glory, Al Ahly's desire to return to the global tournament, and Zamalek's dream of making their first appearance, the upcoming African competition remains an important stop for Arab clubs. Any qualification considerations will need to align with the official rules that FIFA will adopt for the 2029 Club World Cup.