Ghanaian forward Edmund Baidoo is set to make history as one of the few players from Ghana to feature in the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup, following another standout performance for Red Bull Salzburg in their 4-2 victory over Rapid Wien in the Austrian Bundesliga Championship Group.
The 19-year-old, who has grown into a key figure for Salzburg this season, scored his fourth goal of the campaign in the first half of Saturday’s thrilling encounter, further cementing his place in the squad ahead of their high-profile Club World Cup opener against Mexican side CF Pachuca on June 18.
Red Bull Salzburg, winners of the 2023–24 Austrian Bundesliga, earned their spot at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup; a restructured global tournament featuring 32 clubs from across the world, including heavyweights like Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Flamengo.
For Baidoo, it’s an opportunity to test himself on football’s biggest club stage and represent Ghana at a level few of his countrymen have reached.
“This is a huge moment in my career,” Baidoo said after the match. “Scoring is always great, but playing in the Club World Cup is something I’ve dreamed of. I just want to help the team and make Ghana proud.”
Only a handful of Ghanaian players have appeared in the Club World Cup in its history, and Baidoo’s inclusion signals a new era of talent making waves in Europe.
Despite being just 19, his pace, intelligence, and ability to perform under pressure have made him one of the breakout stars of Salzburg’s season.
The Club World Cup, taking place in the United States, will give Baidoo and Salzburg a chance to compete on a global stage rarely afforded to clubs from Austria; or to emerging African players like himself.
