Al Ahly’s head coach, Spaniard José Ribeiro, has largely settled on the starting lineup expected to face Inter Miami in the highly anticipated opening match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

 

The match is scheduled for 3:00 AM on Sunday (Saturday evening U.S. time), at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, as part of the first round of group stage matches.

Tactical Thinking and Limited Trade-Offs
While the general shape of the starting lineup appears clear, Ribeiro is still considering a few tactical decisions in two key positions that may hold surprises for fans.
In goal, Mohamed El Shenawy remains the favorite to start, but the coaching staff has not ruled out the possibility of fielding Mostafa Shobeir, who has been delivering strong performances recently. The final decision will depend on last-minute evaluations.
The second potential surprise may come in either the right-wing position or the second holding midfield spot. One scenario includes starting Taher Mohamed Taher in his natural right-wing role. Another involves rotating Imam Ashour and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane between midfield and wide attacking roles depending on the flow of the game.
Al Ahly’s Expected Lineup vs. Inter Miami
According to sources close to the team, Al Ahly’s most likely lineup is as follows:
Goalkeeper: Mohamed El Shenawy
Defense: Mohamed Hany – Achraf Dari – Ahmed Ramadan Beckham – Mostafa El Ash
Midfield: Marwan Attia – Hamdi Fathi (with a possible appearance by Taher Mohamed Taher) – Imam Ashour
Attack: Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane – Mahmoud Hassan "Trezeguet" – Wissam Abou Ali

Al Ahly’s Group in the Tournament
Al Ahly competes in Group A of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, alongside:
Inter Miami (USA)
Porto (Portugal)
Palmeiras (Brazil)
The group is expected to feature intense and exciting matches, particularly due to the contrasting tactical styles of the participating teams.