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The FIFA Club World Cup will be taking a different format and an extended form in June when 32 teams battle for the ultimate crown in the United States of America.
Sulley Ali Muntari
Since its inception in the year 2000, only 12 teams have won the tournament with European heavyweight Real Madrid the record champions with five titles.
During that period, only five Ghanaian players have had the honour of wearing the coveted medals. Out of these players, Sulley Muntari is the only one to have represented Ghana at the international level with the rest playing for their European nation.
However, Callum Hudson-Odoi remains eligible to play for Ghana after almost four years without a game for the Three Lions of England.
Sulley Muntari – Inter Milan
Muntari won the FIFA Club World Cup in 2010 with Italian giants Inter Milan after starring in their treble winning campaign under Portuguese gaffer Jose Mourinho. Although Mourinho left before the competition in the United Arab Emirates, the Ghanaian was part of Rafael Benitez’s squad for the tournament.
Muntari watched from the bench in the final as the Nerazurris thumped then African champions TP Mezembe 3-0 in the final. First half goals from Goran Pandev and Samuel Eto’o gave the Italians the advantage before Jonathan Biabiany sealed the win in the second half.
Jerome Boateng – Bayern Munich
Jerome, the younger brother of former Ghana international Kevin-Prince Boateng, was two-time champion of the world with Bayern Munich. He first won the FIFA Club World Cup in 2013 after playing in the final against Raja Casablanca as the Bavarians defeated the Moroccans 2-0, courtesy of goals from Dante Santos and Thiago Alcantara.
In 2021, Boateng was again named in the Bayern Munich squad for the trip to Doha, where they emerged champions after beating Tigres of Mexico’s Liga MX in the final. He had to leave the squad for the final after reports his girlfriend had tragically passed away. Benjamin Parvard’s strike on the hour mark separated the two sides. Boateng was not involved in action on that day.
Callum Hudson-Odoi – Chelsea
Hudson-Odoi’s international future is currently in limbo as he remains eligible to play for Ghana and England. He has made a few appearances for the Three Lions but under the nationality switch rules, he can play for the Black Stars. He is one of few Ghanaian players to win the FIFA Club World.
In 2022, Hudson-Odoi started for Chelsea in the final as they defeated Brazilian side Palmeiras 2-1 to win the trophy. He was replaced by Saul in the 76th minute as the game was forced to extra-time with Kai Harvetz netting the winner with three minutes remaining.
Danny Welbeck – Manchester United
The first player of Ghanaian heritage to win the competition. Welbeck, who had won the UEFA Champions League with Manchester United, travelled with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to Japan for the competition. The now-Brighton & Hove Albion forward was on the bench as the Red Devils defeated LDU Quito to become the first British team to win the FIFA Club World Cup.
Wayne Rooney, who ended the tournament as the best player, scored the winner in the second half with a powerful strike.
Jeremy Doku – Manchester City
Doku’s first trophy as a Manchester City player was the FIFA Club World Cup in 2023. He had joined the club in August 2023 and was named in the squad for the competition in December 2023 in Saudi Arabia. The Belgian-Ghanaian did not feature for the club but watched as they demolished Brazilian side Fluminense 4-0 in the final.
A brace from Julian Alvarez, and own goal from Nino and a strike from Phil Foden earned them their first Club World Cup.
