FIFA to pay Sundowns R572 million in June?

Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns will compete at the FIFA Club World Cup. You won’t the participation fee for each club.

Patrice Motsepe's son, Thlopie Motsepe, has taken over as Sundowns' chairman. Image: @Masandawana/Twitter.

Mamelodi Sundowns’ top brass never imagined this type of return on investment so soon, did they?

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS TO EARN MASSIVE FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP PARTICIPATION FEE

As confirmed by FIFA in 2024, Abafana Ba Style will be one of 32 clubs around the world that have qualified for the newly revamped FIFA Club World Cup in the United States of America from 14 June to 134 July.

Sundowns are also one of four African clubs to represent the continent at the event, namely Al Ahly, Esperance and Wydad Casablanca, thanks to consistent appearances in the semifinal rounds of the CAF Champions League in the past decade.

According to FIFA, as reported by beIN Sports, the 32 clubs will each share USD 1 billion (R18 billion) for appearing at the tournament. The payment will increase as each team progresses in the competition.

Should the USD 1 billion be divided into 32, each of the 32 clubs will be paid USD 31.25 million. This means that Sundowns could cash (USD 31.24 million) R572,689 million.

*Mamelodi Sundowns team against Orlando Pirates at Loftus Versfeld. Image: @safootclassics/X*

GROUP AND FIXTURES

Sundowns have been drawn in Group F alongside South Korea’s Ulsan HD FC, German giants Borussia Dortmund, and Brazilian powerhouse Fluminense.

Wednesday, 18 June: Ulsan vs Sundowns at 00:00 from the Inter & Co Stadium, Orlando, USA.
Saturday, 21 June: Sundowns vs Dortmund at 18:00 from the QTL Stadium, Cincinnati, USA.
Wednesday, 25 June: Sundowns vs Fluminese at 21:00 from the Hard Rock Stadium, Florida, USA.

In the meantime, the Betway Premiership champions are leading the log table with 17 points and nine matches left. In the CAF Champions League, Esperance de Tunisia awaits in the quarterfinals.