After suffering a humbling 4-0 defeat in last year’s Club World Cup final, Fluminense return with unfinished business. Now led once again by Renato Gaúcho and anchored by the legendary Thiago Silva, the Tricolor will look to put past disappointment behind them as they navigate a tricky group featuring Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan HD and Mamelodi Sundowns.
1) Who will Fluminense face at the Club World Cup?
Fluminense have been drawn into Group F and these are their group stage fixtures:
17 June: vs Borussia Dortmund. MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
21 June: vs Ulsan HD. MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.
25 June: vs Mamelodi Sundowns. Hard Rock Stadium, Miami.
2) A lack of domestic silverware
Somewhat surprisingly, Fluminense have won just four Brasileirão titles, crowned champions in 1970, 1984, 2010 and, most-recently, 2012 when Fred, of World Cup 2014 fame, was their top-scorer.
The Fluzão do though boast 33 Campeonato Carioca titles, this the state championship for clubs based in Rio de Janeiro, six behind record-winners, holders and their fierce rivals Flamengo.
3) Becoming Copa Libertadores champions
A record 12 different Brazilian clubs have won the Copa Libertadores, by far the most, although, up until recently, Fluminense were not amongst them. The Tricolor did get all the way to the final for the very first time in 2008, but were heartbreakingly beaten by L.D.U. Quito in a penalty shootout, following a miraculous second leg remontada.
15 years later, they reached the final again, this time welcoming Boca Juniors to their home stadium the Maracanã, prevailing 2-1 after extra time, securing a truly historic triumph.
4) Inconsisent form in 2025
So far this calendar year, Fluminense have struggled for consistency. They did reach the Cariocão final in march, but were beaten 2-1 over two legs by Flamengo in the heated Fla–Flu derby. Meanwhile, they are fifth in the Brasileirão table, four points adrift the leaders, enjoying back-to-back league victories over Vasco da Gama and then Internacional immediately prior to this tournament.
Lastly, Fluminese are also involved in the Copa Sudamericana, South American's second-tier competition, having ended up in 13th spot last season. Following home wins over Unión Española and then Once Caldas, they finished top of Group F, so will face Bahia or América de Cali in the round of 16, very much amongst the favourites to go all the way.
5) Past Club World Cup expirence
Fluminense's sole previous Club World Cup campaign came as recently as December 2023. The Fluzão beat Al Ahly 2-0 in the semi-finals but, four days later, were ignominiously smashed 4-0 by Manchester City in the final. They fell behind after just 40 seconds in Jeddah, enduring the joint-most emphatic margin of victory in a Club World Cup Final, alongside Barça demolition of Santos in 2011.
6) Fluminense players to watch: Everaldo
With star striker Germán Cano sidelined due to a knee injury, which is a major blow, Everaldo is likely to be leading the line this summer. The 33 year old has had a journeyman career, representing 15 different clubs in four countries since his senior debut in 2011, joining Fluminense in February.
Well, to date, Everaldo has scored just five time in 25 appearances for Flu, most-notably bagging a brace against Club San José in the Copa Sudamericana, but star man Cano's injury means he will be thrust into the limelight.
7) Fluminense players to watch: Kevin Serna
While he isn't likely to be Fluminense's main goal threat, that'll be Kevin Serna. The Colombian winger has scored seven times in 2025 so far, including three in his last five Brasileirão matches, hoping to continue that impressive vein of form.
8) Fluminense players to watch: Thiago Silva
The most high-profile and recognisable member of this squad is without doubt captain Thiago Silva.
The centre-back left Fluminense for A.C. Milan back in 2009, before winning 23 major honours during eight seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, and then picking up the Champions League and the Club World Cup trophies representing Chelsea. Now 40, Silva rejoined his boyhood club a year ago, first signing for Fluminense as a 14 year old in 1998, set to be pivotal at the heart of their defence.
9) Manager Renato Gaúcho: back again
62 year old Renato Gaúcho is certainly an experienced manager at Brazilian top-flight level.
Having been rehired by the club in April, this is his sixth stint as Fluminense manager, on top of two caretaker spells, having also been in charge of Vasco da Gama twice and Grêmio on three occasions, to name but a few of his many, many jobs. Since returning, Gaúcho has won ten of 15 matches during this latest stint as Fluminense boss, hoping to keep that form going.
10) How far will Fluminense go?
Fluminense's Club World Cup escapade commences against Borussia Dortmund, before also facing Ulsan HD in East Rutherford, concluding the group phase by meeting Mamelodi Sundowns in Miami.
Flu supporters will certainly expect their side to reach the knockout stages and they might just fancy their chances of an upset against an inconsistent Dortmund team at MetLife Stadium in that opener.