🔴 Benfica
Club World Cup team hub
Primeira Liga as a proving ground
Benfica's 38-game league campaign demands tactical flexibility — Roger Schmidt often switches between 4-2-3-1 and 3-5-2 mid-match. Their 2023/24 title came via late winners from Rafa Silva (9 goals) and predatory finishes by Arthur Cabral. The intensity of Porto and Sporting clashes mirrors what they'll face against Saudi or Mexican sides in the group stage.
The Di María factor in transition
At 36, Di María remains Benfica's creative hub — his 12 assists last season came mostly on diagonal runs from the right. But Club World Cup opponents will target his defensive frailties. Schmidt may deploy him centrally against physical CONCACAF sides, replicating his role in Argentina's 2022 World Cup knockout matches.
Europa League ghosts to exorcise
Benfica's 2023 Europa League quarterfinal collapse against Inter (5-3 aggregate) exposed defensive fragility under high presses. Center-back António Silva, now 20, must improve his decision-making against quicker forwards. Their group stage could feature a rematch with Marcelo Gallardo's Al-Ittihad, who eliminated them in 2022's Arab Club Champions Cup.
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real MadridQualifies (1st) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| 2 | Benfica | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Flamengo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Manchester CityEliminated | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| Match | Date | Group | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid vs BenficaEstadio Philadelphia | Tue, Jun 17, 2025 · 20:00 ET | a | – | Scheduled |
| Manchester City vs BenficaEstadio Philadelphia | Thu, Jun 19, 2025 · 17:00 ET | a | – | Scheduled |
| Flamengo vs BenficaEstadio Philadelphia | Fri, Jun 20, 2025 · 20:00 ET | a | – | Scheduled |
Frequently asked questions
When did Benfica last win the Club World Cup?+
Never. Their best finish was runners-up in 1961 and 1962 under Béla Guttmann, losing to Pele's Santos and then Eusébio's own shock defeat to Botafogo.
Which current Benfica players have Club World Cup experience?+
Only Di María (won 2022 with Argentina) and Otamendi (2022 winner). David Neres played in 2020's edition with Ajax, losing to Palmeiras in the semifinals.
How many Portuguese clubs have won the Club World Cup?+
Just Porto in 2004 — Benfica's eternal rivals beat Once Caldas 8-7 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in Yokohama.
What's Benfica's likely group stage path?+
As UEFA entrants, they'll face the CONCACAF champions (likely León or Monterrey) plus either Al-Hilal or Urawa Reds from Asia in a three-team group.