Mamelodi Sundowns Choose Bradenton’s IMG Academy to Prepare for FIFA Club World Cup
As the FIFA Club World Cup prepares to kick off next week in cities across the United States, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns have made Bradenton their temporary home, selecting IMG Academy as their training base ahead of the tournament.
The Sundowns, competing in their first FIFA Club World Cup in nearly a decade, arrived in Tampa Bay earlier this week and will remain at IMG until at least June 25. Their stay may extend further depending on how far they advance in the competition.
The team is training at IMG to prepare for a high-stakes matchup against South Korea’s representative team on Tuesday at Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando. The 32-team global tournament will unfold in 12 U.S. cities, including Orlando and Miami.
The decision to train at IMG was driven by the academy’s world-class facilities, quality nutrition, and comprehensive support systems. A welcome reception was held on campus Friday evening to greet the team.
IMG Academy’s leadership expressed pride in hosting the international club, calling it a testament to the institution’s global reputation for high-performance training. The campus has a history of welcoming elite athletes and teams competing at the highest levels of the sport.
With South Africa currently in winter, the warm Florida weather has also proven ideal for training conditions. The team is focused on utilizing every available resource to ensure strong performance on the world stage.
The Sundowns are among the top clubs in African football, and their presence in Bradenton highlights the region’s growing role in international sports as a host for elite-level preparation and competition.
