🔴 Flamengo
Club World Cup team hub
From Brasileirão grind to global spotlight
Flamengo's 2023 Brasileirão campaign saw them score 68 goals in 38 games — third-highest in the league despite defensive lapses. Their 4-2-3-1 under Jorge Sampaoli relies on fullbacks Matheuzinho and Ayrton Lucas overlapping, leaving space for counterattacks that better-organized Club World Cup sides will exploit. The Rio giants last appeared here in 2019, losing 1-0 to Liverpool after extra time. This time, their group path likely avoids European giants until the semifinals, but Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal or Mexico's León could ambush them first.
The Pedro-Gabigol conundrum
Flamengo's strike partnership scored 39 goals across all competitions last season, but faces a tactical dilemma. Pedro's hold-up play (1.7 aerial duels won per game) clashes with Gabigol's preference for drifting left — against compact Asian or African defenses, Sampaoli may need to bench one for an extra midfielder. Arrascaeta's creativity (9 assists in 2023 Libertadores) becomes critical when space tightens. Their last global test saw Gabigol muted against Liverpool's high line; better scouting reports now exist for his movement.
Maracanã's ghosts travel badly
Flamengo's domestic record at Maracanã (14W-3D-2L in 2023) masks away struggles — they dropped points at 10 different Brasileirão venues last season. Neutral venues in Saudi Arabia or Morocco won't offer their trademark 12th man. Center-back duo Léo Pereira and Fabrício Bruno averaged 3.1 fouls per game combined; VAR scrutiny increases internationally. Goalkeeper Santos' reflexes saved 74% of shots faced in 2023 Libertadores, but his distribution (58% accuracy) invites pressing.
| # | 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 FlamengoEstadio Philadelphia | Mon, Jun 16, 2025 · 17:00 ET | a | – | Scheduled |
| Manchester City vs FlamengoEstadio Philadelphia | Wed, Jun 18, 2025 · 14:00 ET | a | – | Scheduled |
| Flamengo vs BenficaEstadio Philadelphia | Fri, Jun 20, 2025 · 20:00 ET | a | – | Scheduled |
Frequently asked questions
When did Flamengo last win the Club World Cup?+
Never. Their best finish was runners-up in 2019, losing 1-0 to Liverpool.
How many Brasileirão titles does Flamengo have?+
8, most recently in 2020. They've finished top-three in four of the last five seasons.
Who is Flamengo's top scorer in 2023?+
Pedro with 27 goals across all competitions, including 12 in the Copa Libertadores.
What's Flamengo's likely Club World Cup group path?+
They'll enter in the second round, facing the winner of an Asian/African/Oceanian qualifier — potentially Al Hilal or Auckland City.