Sundowns Return from Austria, Poised for Multi-Front 2026/27 Campaign

Mamelodi Sundowns have returned from their intensive preseason training camp in Austria, signaling the immediate commencement of their preparations for a packed 2026/27 campaign. The club's return coincides with the postponement of their initial Betway Premiership match against Marumo Gallants, granting them additional time to integrate their tactical work.

Under the guidance of head coach Miguel Cardoso, the Brazilians are gearing up for a season that promises to test their depth and resilience across six different competitions within the opening four months. This ambitious schedule follows a highly successful 2025/26 season, which culminated in Mamelodi Sundowns securing their second TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title, triumphing over AS FARTeam·AS FAR of Morocco with a 2-1 aggregate victory.

Their continental success has paved the way for participation in several prestigious international tournaments. Sundowns are set to contest the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup 2026 against TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup winners USM Alger of Algeria. This one-off fixture offers an early opportunity for silverware, a trophy Mamelodi Sundowns previously lifted in 2017.

Further international commitments include the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026, where their campaign is slated to begin on September 19. They will face the winner of the match between Al Ahli Saudi FC and Auckland FCTeam·Auckland FC for the FIFA African–Asian–Pacific CupCompetition·FIFA African–Asian–Pacific Cup. Progression in this tournament could see them advance to the FIFA Challenger Cup and potentially the Intercontinental Cup final against the UEFA Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League holders.

Looking ahead, Mamelodi Sundowns have also secured their place in the expanded FIFA Club World CupCompetition·FIFA Club World Cup in 2029. This marks a significant return to the global stage, building on their participation in the 2025 edition where they achieved their first-ever victory in the competition, defeating South Korea's Ulsan HD.

Domestically, the club faces immediate challenges with upcoming MTN8Competition·MTN8 quarterfinals against Polokwane City in August, followed by Carling Knockout CupCompetition·Carling Knockout Cup matches scheduled for October. Their strong performance in the 2025/26 South African PremiershipCompetition·South African Premiership, where they finished second with 68 points from 30 games (20 wins, 8 draws, 2 losses), underscores their consistent domestic prowess. Recent form has been robust, with a 60% win rate in their last five matches, scoring 14 goals and conceding 9, including a notable 7-4 victory against Siwelele in the Premiership. This blend of domestic consistency and continental ambition positions Mamelodi Sundowns for a truly demanding, yet potentially rewarding, season.