Three Ghanaian talents who could light up the Club World Cup

 

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup marks the beginning of a new chapter in club football, featuring an expanded 32-team format. Taking place across the United States from June 14 to July 13, the revamped competition will bring together the champions from all six continental confederations. The tournament will begin with a group stage before moving into the knockout rounds, promising fans a month-long celebration of world-class football.

Among the players looking to make an impact on the global stage are three Ghanaians who will represent their respective clubs in the tournament:

Yaw Yeboah – representing Los Angeles FC

Edmund Baidoo – playing for RB Salzburg

Samuel Obeng – featuring for Wydad Casablanca

Each of these players brings their own strengths and ambitions, aiming to help their teams make a lasting impression in this historic edition of the Club World Cup.

Yaw Yeboah – Los Angeles FC (MLS)

Yaw Yeboah arrived at Los Angeles FC in early 2025, bringing with him a strong résumé from his time at Columbus Crew, where he helped secure the 2023 Eastern Conference title, the MLS Cup, and the 2024 Leagues Cup.

Renowned for his speed, dribbling, and flair, Yeboah quickly became a fan favourite in MLS. However, life at LAFC has been far from smooth. The Ghanaian winger has struggled for regular game time, managing just nine appearances and four starts since his move.

His debut goal   a late strike against Seattle Sounders  came five months after joining, and in the Club World Cup play-in final against Club América, Yeboah was only subbed on in the 120th minute to help secure a narrow 2-1 win.

With limited starts, Yeboah isn’t expected to play a major role for LAFC, but could still offer impact off the bench. LAFC have landed in a tough group alongside Chelsea, Esperance Tunis, and Flamengo. While Chelsea are tipped to top the group, LAFC will hope to push for a runner-up finish, which would be enough to reach the knockouts.

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Edmund Baidoo – RB Salzburg (Austrian Bundesliga)

At just 19 years old, Edmund Baidoo has become one of the standout young Ghanaian talents in European football. He joined RB Salzburg in mid-2024 from Norwegian club Sogndal, and has impressed with his work ethic, finishing ability, and football IQ.

Baidoo contributed five goals and one assist in Austria’s domestic competitions this season, playing a key role in Salzburg’s late push for a Champions League berth. He also shone in the UEFA Youth League, scoring twice and assisting three times in seven matches for Salzburg’s U19s.

Now fully integrated into the senior squad, Baidoo has featured in every game since February and is expected to get valuable minutes in the Club World Cup. Salzburg face a difficult group featuring Real Madrid, Pachuca, and Al Hilal   all seasoned international opponents.

Baidoo’s sharp movement and energy could be a valuable asset for Salzburg, who will rely on their European pedigree to push for a place in the knockout stages.

Samuel Obeng – Wydad Casablanca (Botola Pro)

Samuel Obeng made the switch to Wydad Casablanca in early 2025 following solid spells in European football. The 28-year-old striker wasted no time settling in, scoring two goals and providing two assists in 11 appearances in Morocco’s top flight.

Wydad earned their spot in this tournament as 2021/22 CAF Champions League winners, having defeated Al Ahly 2-0 in the final. Obeng ended the domestic season in strong form, starting Wydad’s final three league games and contributing directly to goals in each of them.

He has also led the line in warm-up friendlies against Sevilla and Porto, giving every indication that he’ll play a key role at the tournament. With Wydad drawn into a daunting group alongside Manchester City, Juventus, and Al Ain, the path to the knockouts is steep.

Still, Obeng sees this as a golden opportunity to showcase his talent on a global platform   and perhaps spark renewed interest in African football’s strength and flair.