Even before a ball was kicked at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, debate was already raging concerning the need for such a tournament after the already rapidly increasing workload for players. Despite the talk, European clubs have agreed to participate due to the substantial payday promised by FIFA, but this has resulted in an uninspiring vibe from what should have been the main headline-making clubs in this tournament.
However, if the European giants are evidently disengaged in this competition due to schedule congestion and, in some cases, forced squad rotation, the same can’t be said about South America’s participants. The proof is in the pudding, not only for the clubs but also for the fans. Passionate South American fans have flocked to the stadiums to cheer on their teams, regardless of the unrelenting heat of America, and the teams have benefited from the passion on their mission to prove doubters wrong.
As things stand, all Brazilian clubs in the Club World Cup- Flamengo, Botafogo, Palmeiras, and Fluminense are all undefeated heading into the final round, and are now in pole position to make history and progress to the knockout rounds.
Regardless of what happens next, history has already been made with Botafogo becoming the first South American club side to beat European opposition in club competitions since 2012 when they withstood the barrage of Champions League winners PSG to win 1-0. Then, a day later, Flamengo repeated the dose, dismantling a 10-man Chelsea, who had striker Nicolas Jackson sent off, to run out emphatic 3-1 winners at the Lincoln Financial Field.
Across the ditch, Argentinian clubs have also largely given the fans their money’s worth, with River Plate likely to progress, and even potentially top Group E if they beat Inter Milan in the final group matchday – both clubs are on four points after two games. Even though their domestic rivals, Boca Juniors, are likely to head home with only a point accumulated heading into the third group match, the Argentinian giants have not lost any fans, particularly after a spirited 2-1 loss against Bayern that on paper should have been a non contest.
On an individual level, the surprising success of South American sides has brought well-deserved spotlight on several stars, young and old. 24-year-old Botafogo striker Igor Jesus has been a notable high performer so far, bagging two goals to sit fifth in the tournament’s leading goal scorers. He struck in the opening group game to give Botafogo a 2-1 win against Seattle Sounders and then backed it up with the only goal of the game against PSG.
Franco Mastantuono, who is set to join Real Madrid after the tournament, has also increased his stock with eye-catching performances for River Plate so far. On the other end of their careers, Thiago Silva, at 40 years old, has run back the clock this Club World Cup campaign for Fluminense, particularly against European opposition Dortmund in the first matchday, where the veteran won eight aerial duels and completed a 100% tackle completion rate.
Jorginho, following his recent departure from Arsenal, has also demonstrated he can still mix it up with the best with two typically poised performances in midfield for the undefeated Flamengo.
But overall, in an unusually dark period for South American football – Brazil specifically, the inspiring performances shown in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup have brought back a sense of football pride for a nation historically so entwined with success in the beautiful game. Brazilian fans and South American football fans in general can look on regardless of what happens with pride, as their teams have proven they can match it with the best, and that the seemingly established level difference between South American football and European football is not as steep as made out to be.
