As the Club World Cup’s group stage wraps up, one nation has emerged as an unexpected powerhouse: Brazil. Teams like Flamengo, Palmeiras, Botafogo, and Fluminense, all recent Copa Libertadores champions, have advanced to the tournament’s second phase. These clubs have posed formidable challenges to Europe’s elite teams and have ignited excitement among millions of Brazilian fans. After years of losses to European clubs in FIFA events, there’s a renewed sense of hope for Brazilian supporters.
Flamengo and Palmeiras have secured the top positions in their groups, with Flamengo achieving a surprising 3-1 victory over Chelsea, becoming the first squad to advance to the knockout rounds. Botafogo, in a stunning win against Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain, along with Fluminense, qualified in the second spot of their groups.
Fluminense’s midfielder, Jhon Arias, emphasized their ambitions, asserting, “Our first aim was reaching the Round-of-16, but that’s merely a step on our journey,” following a scoreless match against Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa. All four Brazilian teams share similar aspirations for the knockout stages.
This weekend’s fixtures will see Botafogo and Palmeiras competing against each other, which ensures at least one Brazilian club will secure a quarterfinal berth. Meanwhile, Flamengo is set to face Bayern Munich on Sunday, and Fluminense will take on Inter Milan on Monday.
The last Brazilian club to win the global club championship was Corinthians, who triumphed over Chelsea in 2012. That edition of the tournament was far smaller than the current 32-team format, which includes teams from across five continents.
Botafogo achieved the most surprising result in the group stage, defeating PSG on June 19. Prior to that clash, many Brazilian fans and analysts anticipated a dominant performance by the French club over the Brazilian side, which has been inconsistent this year. PSG’s coach, Luis Enrique, acknowledged, “Botafogo was the toughest defense we’ve faced all season. They deserved it.”
Two key factors have been in favor of Brazilian clubs: being in mid-season form, unlike the European clubs that are in a break, and their familiarity with the tournament’s sweltering heat conditions. Initially skeptical about their teams’ prospects, Brazilian coaches, officials, players, and fans have found renewed vigor.
Flamengo fans demonstrated their optimism in Philadelphia, chanting that “the moment has arrived” for their clash against Bayern Munich, following confirmation of the German team’s advancement.
“Football’s graveyard is full of favorites,” commented Botafogo’s coach Renato Paiva after their victory against leading European teams. “Few can directly confront PSG. Could I have tried it? Perhaps, but it’s a significant risk in a tournament of this caliber.”
Botafogo’s narrow 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid marked the only defeat for a Brazilian team during the group phase.
Brazilian dominance in South America is evident, having claimed the last six Copa Libertadores titles, with five of those finals being all-Brazilian affairs. This regional supremacy is mirrored in the Club World Cup, as Argentine powerhouses Boca Juniors and River Plate did not progress past the group stage.
This triumph owes much to attracting talent from other South American nations, mirroring the dynamic seen in the Club World Cup. Brazilian clubs have become magnets for young talent across the continent, providing them an opportunity before they move to more lucrative European clubs. Some players, however, choose to stay and thrive in a fiercely competitive league outside Europe, which features multiple genuine contenders for the trophy every year.
Within these Brazilian teams, international stars like Uruguay’s Giorgián de Arrascaeta at Flamengo and Venezuela’s Jefferson Savarino at Botafogo shine. Others like Fluminense’s Arias and Palmeiras’ Argentine striker Flaco López are crucial, even though none of them have played in Europe.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged the South American influence on the sport, stating, “Many significant moments in football history originate from South America, where the greatest players come from.”
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, ahead of their upcoming match with RB Salzburg, highlighted the benefits of European teams playing against highly competitive teams from outside their continent. He expressed admiration for the Brazilian teams and River Plate, remarking, “Adapting is vital. We get to witness teams that aren’t part of our typical day-to-day encounters, and they impress.”
Brazilian clubs’ recent success can also be linked to employing Portuguese managers. Renato Paiva took charge of Botafogo following Arthur Jorge of his homeland, and Abel Ferreira has clinched almost every available title with Palmeiras since 2020. These influential coaches have significantly boosted the competitiveness of Brazilian teams.
Abel Ferreira acknowledged, “It’s an honor to be in Brazil. Although I had numerous offers to move abroad, I chose to stay.” When asked about the competitive gap between Brazilian and European clubs, he confidently stated, “It’s minimal. We must match their competition level.”
The impending knockout stages of the Club World Cup will reveal whether Ferreira’s confidence is well-founded.