Still chasing a first-ever Club World Cup crown in the modern era, Flamengo arrive in the United States with domestic momentum, continental pedigree, and star power on their side. But with Chelsea, LAFC and Espérance de Tunis standing in their way, the Rubro-Negro know the road to redemption won’t be smooth.
1) Who will Flamengo face at the Club World Cup?
Flamengo have been drawn into Group D and these are their group stage fixtures:
16 June: vs Espérance Sportive de Tunis. Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
20 June: vs Chelsea. Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
24 June: vs LAFC. Camping World Stadium, Orlando.
2) Domestic trophies
Flamengo have won seven Brasileirão titles, the first of which came in 1980, more-recently enjoying successive triumphs in 2019 and 2020. This means only Santos (8) and Palmeiras (12) have claimed more titles, with the Rubro-Negro the only club not based in São Paulo to pick up more than four.
On top of this, Flamengo are the holders of the Copa do Brasil, getting their hands on that trophy for the fifth time by beating Atlético Mineiro in the final last November. Meantime, they are now 39-times Campeonato Carioca champions, this the state championship for clubs based in Rio de Janeiro, extending their record by defeating fierce rivals Fluminense 2-1 on aggregate back in March.
3) Copa Libertadores success
The Mengão also boast three Copa Libertadores triumphs, a joint-record for a Brazilian club.
The first of these came in 1981, before being crowned champions of South America twice in more recent times, first beating River Plate 2-1 in the 2019 final in Lima, scoring in the 89th and then 92nd minute. They then got their hands on CONMEBOL's most prestigious prize again in October 2022, this time courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Athletico Paranaense in Guayaquil, a year after their only Libertadores final defeat to date, coming at the hands of Palmeiras in Montevideo.
4) A successful year so far
So far, this year could hardly have gone much better for the Rubro-Negro.
They won the Supercopa do Brasil in February and, as already mentioned, retained the Cariocão title the following month. Meantime, Flamengo, just about, snuck through to the Copa Libertadores knockout stages, courtesy of a hard fought 1-0 victory over Deportivo Táchira at the Maracanã last month. They'll now face Internacional in the round of 16 when the tournament resumes in August.
Elsewhere, having lost just one of 11 fixtures to date, the Mengão are currently top of the Brasileirão table, defeating title rivals Palmeiras on the road, before smashing Fortaleza 5-0 last time out.
5) Past Club World Cup expirence
Flamengo have previously been crowned world champions, beating Liverpool 3-0 in Tokyo in the Intercontinental Cup back in 1981.
In the modern Club World Cup-era, this will be their third appearance at the tournament. Back in 2019, by defeating Al-Hilal in the semi-finals, the Rubro-Negro set up a rematch with Liverpool, only this time they were defeated 1-0 by the English side at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Flamengo's most-recent Club World Cup campaign went disastrously, facing Al-Hilal in the semis again in February 2023, this time beaten 3-2 in Ṭangier, before a 4-2 victory over Al Ahly in the third-place play-off secured bronze medals, but this was scant consolation.
6) Flamengo players to watch: Giorgian de Arrascaeta
Flamengo's most dangerous attacker, without a shadow of a doubt, is Giorgian de Arrascaeta.
Since arriving from Cruzeiro in January 2019, the Uruguayan international has made 316 appearances, the second-most of any overseas player in the club's entire history, chasing down Modesto Bria's record of 369 that has stood for 72 years.
During his time in Rio, de Arrascaeta has racked up 85 goals and 99 assists, scoring 12 times in 2025 already. He was on target during the aforementioned Club World Cup victory over Al-Hilal six years ago, and is for certain Flamengo's most-likely scorer this summer too.
7) Flamengo players to watch: Alex Sandro
Turning our attention to this team's defence, two members of their back-line have serious pedigree.
First, left-back Alex Sandro was a stalwart during nine seasons at Juventus, winning five Scudetti, before returning to his native Brazil last summer. His Flamengo career so far has been blighted by injuries but, assuming he can stay fit, he'll be a key figure at left-back.
8) Flamengo players to watch: Danilo
Meantime, few Brazilians have enjoyed a more trophy-laden period in Europe than Danilo.
He won the league title in Portugal, Spain, England and Italy, as well as two Champions Leagues with Real Madrid and the 2016 Club World Cup in Yokohama, collecting 16 major honours altogether.
Now 33, he followed in Sandro's footsteps back in January, joining Flamengo, with the former right-back now having been repurposed as a centre-back, set to partner Léo Ortiz this summer.
9) Manager Filipe Luís: now the boss
Another former full-back is Filipe Luís, who is just getting started in charge of the Mengão.
After playing for Atlético Madrid and Chelsea at the peak of his powers, the defender joined Flamengo in 2019, winning ten major honours to conclude his playing career. Well, a mere seven months after retiring, he succeeded Tite as the club's head coach and his managerial career has gone pretty well so far, winning 31 of 45 matches in charge, losing only three.
10) Will Flamengo reach the knockout phase?
Flamengo commence their Club World Cup campaign against Espérance de Tunis before also taking on Chelsea in Philadelphia, concluding the group phase in Orlando where they'll face Los Angeles FC.
It would be a major failure if the Rio de Janeiro-based outfit do not reach the knockout stages, although they could then come up against Bayern Munich in the round of 16, which could be curtains.