Between glory and gaps: Al Ahly's role in the old Club World Cup

There was a certain symbolism in Al Ahly kicking off this new Club World Cup alongside hosts Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi.

They have taken part in the tournament more than anyone else under its previous guise. But the numbers speak to how lopsided and predictable the 'Mini World Cup' truly was — a name it often earned for lacking both scale and genuine unpredictability.

The old format brought together the champions of each confederation, yes — but some clearly mattered more than others. While not without its critics, today's new version at least presents a fairer, more expansive all-against-all structure.

Al Ahly's record 26 Club World Cup matches - 25 before their debut in the United States - stem largely from their 12 CAF Champions League titles. But also from the fact that they were routinely made to play more knockout rounds than their European or South American counterparts.

The Red Devils typically began their campaigns from the quarter-finals. Only in 2023 did they enter a preliminary round — against Auckland City, whom they dispatched 3-0. In earlier stages, they were often evenly matched or superior to opponents from Japan, the UAE, Mexico, or even Saudi Arabia, winning six of their nine ties at that stage.

This consistency helped them set the record for most clean sheets in the competition's history (8). Yet when it truly mattered, Europe and South America always loomed larger.

For all their longevity and statistical feats, Al Ahly also hold the unenviable record for most losses in the Club World Cup: 14 in total. The semi-final remains their glass ceiling — a round they have never managed to win.

Six of those 14 defeats came at that very stage - against Internacional (2006), Corinthians (2012), Bayern Munich (2021), Palmeiras (2022), Real Madrid (2023), and Fluminense (2023).

Four Brazilian sides, one German, and one Spanish. Their track record in third-place play-offs is more mixed but still negative — losing five out of nine, to the likes of Sydney FC, Adelaide United, Monterrey (twice), and Flamengo.

Their first podium finish came in 2006, defeating Mexico's Club America 2-1. They then had to wait 15 years for another — a penalty shootout win over Palmeiras in 2021, following a goalless 120 minutes.

Subsequent bronze medals followed: a 4-0 triumph over Al-Hilal (pre-Neymar, Mitrovic & co.) in 2022, and a 4-2 victory over Urawa Reds in 2023.

That final edition marked the end of the old Club World Cup as we knew it — with the expanded Intercontinental Cup now taking its place. A different tournament, in structure and ambition. One where Al Ahly, once a symbol of the old order, now look to rewrite their place in the new.