FIFA Club World Cup Preview: How far can Espérance go in the United States?

Four African clubs are eager to test their abilities on the biggest possible stage at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and Tunisian giants Espérance Sportive de Tunis are searching for success in Group D. With Chelsea FC, Brazil’s Flamengo and top Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC as their rivals, EST must be at their best to earn any points.

In our preview below, learn all about Espérance’s squad, what to expect from their opponents in Group D and what we think about their chances of advancing out of the group.

By far the most successful team in the history of Tunisian domestic football, Espérance have won 34 top flight league titles and are also highly recognized in African club football with four CAF Champions League titles. EST are coming off a highly successful 2024-25 season that saw the “Blood and Gold” win all three titles in Tunisian football (Ligue 1 Professionnelle, the Tunisian Cup and the Tunisian Super Cup).

One of North Africa’s most recognisable clubs, Espérance have yet to make a substantial impact in international club competition with two fifth-place (2018 and 2019) finishes and one sixth-place (2011) finish from their appearances at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Espérance will rely on a strong defence to perform at their best in the United States. Algerian centre back Mohamed Amine Tougai is the player to watch in the heart of the EST defence, and it remains to be seen if veteran leader Yassine Meriah will have a role after just coming back from a long-term knee injury.

EST also have reliable full-backs whose performances will be crucial against elite opposition attackers. Mohamed Ben Hamida is a steady presence on the left flank who can support the attack and progress the ball from defence and attack. 21-year-old Raed Bouchniba is on the opposite wing and continues to emerge as a talent who is breaking into the Tunisia senior national team.

While North African rivals Al Ahly have reinforced their squad for the competition, it is a bit troubling that EST has not done the same. The club is continuing to promote youth academy products and use veteran domestic players to complement their group of foreign players.

EST decided to focus on avoiding the departures of players like pacey winger Elias Mokwana (video above) and to secure contract extensions, which include talented Nigerian central midfielder Onuche Ogbelu.

Youcef Belaïli- The Algerian is provocative, brash and incredibly unpredictable. However, he is the straw that stirs the drink and shakes things up for EST, who have a tendency to be predictable against top competition. The 33-year-old will make his second appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup, having scored the only goal in EST’s 2018 appearance, where they finished in fifth place. Watch out for his surging runs from the left wing and his flair for the spectacular.

Onuche Ogbelu- Espérance likes to invest in young talents from sub-Saharan Africa, and the Nigerian is a perfect example of one who has been a success. The 22-year-old is now a crucial link between the defence and attack in his central midfield role, with gradual improvement in his speed of play and decision-making. The Club World Cup will be the ultimate test and if EST surprise at the competition, Ogbelu’s play will be a key factor.

Mohamed Ben Hamida- The acting captain in the absence of central defensive pillar Yassine Meriah, Ben Hamida is as reliable as it gets at the left-back position in African football. Skilled on the ball with excellent decision-making and crossing ability, the EST academy product can spark the attack, but his defensive solidity will be challenged.

But the main issue for Espérance is whether they will be able to generate goals at this level. The team looked incapable of troubling Mamelodi Sundowns in the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League, crashing out without scoring a goal in their 0-1 aggregate defeat.

It is clear that EST can hold out well on their best day, but it is inevitable that goals will be conceded against this level of competition. Foreign attackers like Belaïli, speedy South African winger Elias Mokwana, Brazilian playmaker Yan Sasse and burly striker Rodrigo Rodrigues are capable players but they will not inspire fear in the opposition.

Not only is the attack average at best by this tournament’s standards, but Espérance lack the proven experience and quality in the midfield seen in previous editions of this team. In summary, scoring goals against high-level competition is the biggest challenge for this team, whose weaknesses were exposed in the knockout stages of the CAF Champions League.

The lack of transfers and past evidence of attacking futility in the CAF Champions League quarterfinals makes it clear that Espérance has little chance of qualifying for the knockout stages at the FIFA Club World Cup. This team is built well for navigating past domestic opponents and lesser African foes but EST lack the element of unpredictability which is necessary to overcome elite competition like Chelsea and Flamengo. It is difficult to see Espérance earning more than a point if even that.