This is Flamengo's third Club World Cup appearance, beaten in the 2019 final by Liverpool, before a catastrophic campaign in Morocco in February 2023, dumped out by Al-Hilal in the semi-finals.
Espérance Sportive de Tunis are set to compete for the fourth time, beaten in the quarter-finals at all three previous editions, losing four of six matches in the competition to date.
Flamengo vs Espérance de Tunis preview
Will Flamengo make a winning start to their Club World Cup campaign? The Scarlet and Blacks qualified for this summer's tournament by winning the Copa Libertadores back in 2022, defeating Athletico Paranaense 1-0 in the final in Guayaquil, their third South American title. Now led by Filipe Luís, they are currently top of the Brasileirão, winning seven of 11 league fixtures so far in 2025, most-recently smashing Fortaleza 5-0 at the Maracanã just over a fortnight ago.
Thus, there is optimism back in Rio de Janeiro that Flamengo could make a deep run at this tournament, certainly expected to get out of the group, with games against Chelsea and then Los Angeles FC to come. So, will they make a winning start at Lincoln Financial Field?
As for Espérance Sportive de Tunis, they are four-times African champions, albeit the most-recent of those triumphs came in 2019, ousted by fellow-Club World Cup participants Mamelodi Sundowns in the quarter-finals of this year's CAF Champions League. More broadly, it was a very chaotic campaign for the Yellow and Reds, going through four different managers, albeit they still managed to win a record-extending 34th Ligue Professionnelle 1 title, as well as the Tunisian Cup last time out.
Head coach Maher Kanzari was only appointed in March, although this is his third stint as ES Tunis boss, previously in charge for four matches in 2010 and 28 games in 2013, hoping to last a little while longer this time, with this the 13th fixture of his current reign. Nevertheless, not a lot is expected of this team this summer, so they kick off in Philadelphia on Monday night as big underdogs.
Flamengo vs Espérance de Tunis head-to-head record
These two clubs have never previously met.
Flamengo team news
Jorginho is set to make his Flamengo debut, having arrived on a free transfer from Arsenal, while fellow-midfielder Nicolás de la Cruz and winger Gonzalo Plata are injured.
Former Juventus, amongst others, duo Alex Sando and Danilo are familiar faces in defence; both, as well as Léo Ortiz, Wesley and Gerson were all in the most-recent Brazil squad, showing their pedigree.
Flamengo predicted lineup vs Espérance de Tunis: (4-3-3): Rossi; Wesley, Léo Ortiz, Danilo, Alex Sandro; Jorginho, Gerson, Luiz Araújo, de Arrascaeta, Éverton; Bruno Henrique.
Flamengo player to watch vs Espérance de Tunis
Uruguayan Giorgian de Arrascaeta is Flamengo's creator in chief, scoring his 12th goal of 2025 already against Fortaleza on 1 June, averaging a goal every 79 minutes in this season's Brasileirão, so will his red-hot form continue?
Espérance de Tunis team news
In the first leg of ES Tunis' CAF Champions League tie against Mamelodi Sundowns in April, a 1-0 defeat in Pretoria, they had just 20% possession, which is mind-blowingly low, but gives you some idea as to how Maher Kanzari's team are likely to play.
Centre-back and captain Yassine Meriah ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in November, his sole appearance since a one minute cameo at the end of the Tunisian Cup Final victory over Stade Tunisien on 1 June, so it'll be interesting to see if he's deemed fit to feature in this opener.
Espérance de Tunis predicted lineup vs Flamengo: (4-5-1): Ben Saïd; Ben Ali, Amine Tougai, Jelassi, Ben Hamida; Ogbelu, Guenichi, Dhaou, Sasse, Belaïli; Jabri.
Espérance de Tunis player to watch vs Flamengo
If Espérance de Tunis are going to score a goal this summer, it's likely to come from Youcef Belaïli, considering he netted 18 times in just 34 appearances since joining last summer, to go with 16 assists across all competitions.
Flamengo vs Espérance de Tunis prediction
We're forecasting a very comfortable victory for Flamengo in Philadelphia, the Brazilian heavyweights likely to be simply far too strong at Lincoln Financial Field: Flamengo 2-0 Espérance de Tunis.
Flamengo vs Espérance de Tunis FAQs - FIFA Club World Cup
How to watch Flamengo vs Espérance de Tunis FIFA Club World Cup game on TV channel?
Flamengo vs Espérance de Tunis FIFA Club World Cup game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: DAZN UK
- USA: DAZN USA.
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Flamengo vs Espérance de Tunis FIFA Club World Cup game on live streaming?
Flamengo vs Espérance de Tunis FIFA Club World Cup game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: DAZN UK
- USA: DAZN USA.
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Flamengo vs Espérance de Tunis in the FIFA Club World Cup?
Flamengo vs Espérance de Tunis takes place on Monday 16 June 2025, with kick off at 2:00am (BST), 21:00 (EDT) & 18:00 (PDT).