As the FIFA Club World Cup prepares for a historic transformation in June 2025—with 32 clubs set to battle for global supremacy in the United States—it’s a fitting moment to reflect on the Ghanaians who have left their mark on this elite tournament.

Since its inception in 2000, the FIFA Club World Cup has been won by just 12 clubs, with Spanish giants Real Madrid leading the pack with five titles. Among the hundreds of players who have tasted glory on this stage, only five men of Ghanaian descent have stood on the podium with medals draped around their necks.

Here’s a look at these trailblazers—from a midfield general who represented the Black Stars with pride, to those whose allegiance remained with European nations but whose Ghanaian roots remain undisputed.

Sulley Muntari – Inter Milan (2010)
A midfield powerhouse for Ghana, Sulley Muntari remains the only one among the five to have worn the Black Stars jersey at the senior level. In 2010, he was part of Inter Milan’s golden squad under José Mourinho, which completed a historic treble. Although Mourinho had departed before the Club World Cup in the UAE, Muntari stayed on with Rafael Benitez’s side. While he watched the final from the bench, he was part of the squad that sealed a 3-0 victory over TP Mazembe, with goals from Goran Pandev, Samuel Eto’o, and Jonathan Biabiany.

Jerome Boateng – Bayern Munich (2013, 2021)
A two-time Club World Cup winner, Jerome Boateng—brother to Ghana’s Kevin-Prince Boateng—won his first title in 2013 with Bayern Munich. He played in the final against Morocco’s Raja Casablanca as Bayern triumphed 2-0. In 2021, he was again named in the squad for the tournament in Qatar. Unfortunately, he left the team just before the final due to personal tragedy, but was still part of the champion squad that edged Tigres 1-0.

Callum Hudson-Odoi – Chelsea (2022)
Still eligible to play for Ghana, Callum Hudson-Odoi remains a tantalizing prospect for the Black Stars. In 2022, he started for Chelsea in the Club World Cup final against Palmeiras. Though he was substituted in the 76th minute, he played a crucial role in the build-up to their 2-1 extra-time victory, with Kai Havertz delivering the decisive blow.

Danny Welbeck – Manchester United (2008)
Danny Welbeck was the first Ghanaian-origin player to claim a Club World Cup title. In 2008, the forward was part of Manchester United’s squad that traveled to Japan. Though he didn’t feature in the final, he was on the bench as Wayne Rooney’s strike secured a 1-0 win over LDU Quito, making United the first British team to lift the trophy.

Jeremy Doku – Manchester City (2023)
In December 2023, just months after signing for Manchester City, Jeremy Doku joined the squad that traveled to Saudi Arabia. Though he didn’t see minutes on the pitch, he was part of the historic squad that delivered City’s first-ever FIFA Club World Cup title with a dominant 4-0 win over Fluminense. Julian Alvarez’s brace, an own goal from Nino, and Phil Foden’s finish sealed the victory.

From benchwarmers to starters, each of these players has contributed to the legacy of Ghanaian talent on football’s global stage. And with the expanded Club World Cup just around the corner, more names could soon join this elite list.