Esperance Sportive de Tunis are Tunisia’s greatest ever club – if 33 league titles, 15 Tunisian Cups and 4 CAF Champions League titles are anything to go by. Formed in 1919, the Mkachkha (the Smiling One) or Les Sang et Or (the Blood and Gold) just a couple of nicknames associated with the team are serial winners of the top honours in Tunisian football and one of Africa’s biggest sides. Considering the peculiarities associated with a lot of African states in the 20th century with regards colonialism, its establishment needed a French presence on its board to escape the bottleneck of red tape – a feature for French protectorates in the day. The club has spent an incredible 14 straight seasons in the CAF Champions League proper and are only behind Egyptian Giants Al-Ahly for the most appearances in a Champions League final with nine appearances.
The Capital side historically have produced and had a glut of Tunisia’s finest ever players representing the side. Names like Khaled ben Yahia, Radhi Jaidi, Khaled Badra represent a quarter of Tunisia’s finest ever defenders in history with two of the trio leading the Carthage Eagles to a historic AFCON triumph on home soil in 2004 – a decade after Esperance won its maiden CAF Champions League gong. In Tarak Dhiab, Esperance has the first and Tunisia’s only African Footballer of the Year awardee. Dhiab also holds the record for the most club-appearances (427) and is the club’s record scorer (127) – a feat that will likely remain for a long time yet especially in these globalized times.
However, the club has had a decent history of signing quality players from other African countries who go on to be notable players in their National Teams. From the Nigerian quartet of Garba Lawal, Julius Aghahowa, Obinna Nwaneri and Mike Eneramo to the Ivorian duo of Jean-Jacques Tizie, and Boubacar Sanogo to mention a few. In the current squad Swedish born Elyas Bouzaiene and Belgian Mohammed Mouhli represent the multicultural nature of the club.
Expectations
In the eyes of many fans, it will not be unusual to predict Esperance struggling to qualify out of this group based on the quality of players possessed by the Group favorites Chelsea and Flamengo. However, in Youcef Belaili they have one of the most naturally gifted albeit controversial African players in the last decade. Belaili, an AFCON 2019 winner and the African inter-club awardee for 2019 carries with him a wealth of experience along with club captain and Tunisian international Yassine Meriah. The presence of the Brazilian duo striker Rodrigo Rodrigues and attacking midfielder Yan Sasse adds another dimension to the opener against one of the biggest clubs in world football and former Intercontinental club winners Flamengo – a fixture the aforementioned duo will be looking to make a statement. Overall, Esperance will be hoping to cause an upset in this group mirroring the approach of the Tunisian National Team which prioritizes team play over individual ability, after all The Carthage Eagles shocked France at the 2022 World Cup against all odds. Underestimate the Beasts of Africa at your peril.
Los Angeles FC (United States of America/North America)
Though formed in 2014, The Black and Gold only began playing in the MLS in 2018 as an expansion team. The club has come a long way in such a short period of time to grow beyond being seen as the other team in Los Angeles.
When they step onto the pitch for their first-ever appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup, they won’t just be representing Major League Soccer — they’ll be carrying the hopes of a new generation of American clubs aiming to leave their mark on the global stage.
In just a few years, the club has built an impressive résumé, winning the MLS Cup in 2022, two Supporters’ Shields (2019 and 2022), and the U.S. Open Cup in 2024, quickly positioning them among the most competitive teams in the U.S.
The team plays its home matches at BMO Stadium, a purpose-built, 22,000-seat arena in Los Angeles. Beyond the impressive architecture, what truly sets the club apart is its atmosphere.
LAFC’s journey to the Club World Cup comes after finishing twice runners-up in the Concacaf Champions League (2020 and 2023), clinching a ticket to this year’s expanded Club World Cup by defeating Club América in a playoff for the final CONCACAF spot.
Under the guidance of manager Steve Cherundolo, a former U.S. international, LAFC have built a squad that blends youthful energy with seasoned experience. The 2024 additions of French World Cup winners Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris added star power and leadership to a team already brimming with talent. Before Giroud’s arrival Gabonese forward Denis Bouanga has been crucial in attack.
Expectations
LAFC just have an equal chance as Esperance in causing an upset in this tournament. The MLS is rated amongst the top 10 leagues in the world and has thus far become a lot more competitive in team quality, talent production as well as its incoming signed players. LAFC boast of two World Cup winners in Hugo Lloris and Oliver Giroud, experienced and proven winners throughout their careers. Gabon international Denis Bouanga and well travelled Turkish international Cengiz Under add diversity to an attack that doesn’t struggle to find the net. However, their fate in the group is dependent on their opener against UEFA Conference League winners Chelsea. Chelsea have players who have played quite a number of games this season as well as international fixtures during the off-season, something LAFC might seize to their advantage and serve as the right momentum needed to qualify from a quite tricky group.
