Club World Cup draw: Sundowns drawn alongside Dortmund as SA's Mokwena faces Pep and Man City

Mamelodi Sundowns will open their 2025 Club World Cup campaign against South Korean club Ulsan HD.

The South African champions were drawn in Group F alongside Brazil's Fluminense, German giants Borussia Dortmund and Ulsan in the Club World Cup draw that took place in Miami on Thursday. 

"Wonderful draw, wonderful setup,” Masandawana goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams told the club’s media department.

"I'm just so happy to see the name Mamelodi Sundowns up there with the best, I've got such goosebumps just seeing our name up there.

"Once our name came on the screen, it’s heartfelt, just an amazing achievement for the club.

"It's a wonderful group," he added.

"All the groups were going to be tough. It’s nice that there are some teams we are familiar with, like Fluminense.

"We have similar traits in our build-up, in the way that they play. Similar traits, similar structures. We used a lot of their clips and a lot of their build-ups as well.

"And I know there is someone in our camp who will be extremely happy because he played for Borussia Dortmund, Tashreeq Matthews.

"And Ulsan, all the way from Korea, we know how tough it’s going to be, they play fast football.

"So overall we’re happy, we’re excited and we can’t wait for the Club World Cup to start."

Ready to bring South African glory to the #FIFACWC 2025! ??How far will Mamelodi Sundowns go? ?????? pic.twitter.com/E2IZ13Pcer

The tournament, which has been expanded to 32 clubs, will take place from 15 June to 13 July in the United States next year.

The 32 teams have been drawn in eight groups of four, with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami opening the competition against Egyptian side Al Ahly in Group A at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the