This will be Pachuca's fifth Club World Cup appearance, winning just four of nine fixtures in the competition to date. RB Salzburg will become the first-ever Austrian side to compete in a FIFA tournament.
Pachuca vs RB Salzburg preview
With tougher assignments to come for both in Group H, this pari will feel this is must win in Cincinnati. Pachuca have qualified for this summer's tournament by winning last year's CONCACAF Champions Cup, smashing Columbus Crew 3-0 in the final 12 months ago, the fifth time they've captured that continental trophy. Since then though, the Tuzos endured an underwhelming campaign in Liga MX, finishing third bottom of the Apertura table, before ending up eighth in the Clausura standings, before being beaten 2-0 by Club América in the quarter-finals of the final phase.
Nevertheless, they did reach last year's FIFA Intercontinental Cup Final, smashing Botafogo 3-0 and then ousting Al Ahly on penalties in Doha, before being demolished 3-0 by Real Madrid. Nevertheless, this does suggest that Pachuca will be competitive this summer so, led by brand new manager Jaime Lozano, who's taking charge of the Tuzos for the first time, will they collect three points in Ohio?
As for RB Salzburg, not so long ago, they completely monopolised Austrian silverware, winning ten successive Bundesliga titles between 2014 and 2022, picking up eight ÖFB-Cups during this period of domination too. However, die Roten Bullen have now failed to win back-to-back titles, ending up two points below champions Sturm Graz this time round.
Salzburg also endured a nightmare Champions League campaign, losing seven of their eight league phase fixtures, scoring just five goals and shipping 27, their sole victory come against Feyenoord at De Kuip. This saw Pepijn Lijnders sacked as managed in December, after only 29 games in charge, with Thomas Letsch having been in charge since. Nevertheless, there's little to suggest that Salzburg will be strong this summer, so Pachuca should surely fancy their chances of victory at TQL Stadium.
Pachuca vs RB Salzburg head-to-head record
These two clubs have never previously met.
Pachuca team news
This will be Pachuca's first match since 11 May, and first under Jaime Lozano, so it's hard to know what to expect. Oussama Idrissi was sent off during that most-recent outing, a 2-0 defeat to Club América, but will start here and is set to be a key figure.
Pachuca predicted lineup vs RB Salzburg: (4-5-1): Moreno; Berlanga, Bauermann, Aceves, González; Pedraza, Montiel, Bautista, Sigala, Idrissi; Rondón.
Pachuca player to watch vs RB Salzburg
Still going strong at 35 years old, Salomón Rondón has scored 36 goals in 67 appearances for the Tuzos, including nine in seven CONCACAF Champions Cup matches en route to glory last year, so will the Venezuelan fire Pachuca to victory in Ohio?
RB Salzburg team news
Salzburg have been busy in the transfer market ahead of this tournament, so Stefan Lainer, Amar Dedić, Miha Matjašec, Jacob Rasmussen and Frans Krätzig could all debut, having arrived in the pre-Club World Cup transfer window.
RB Salzburg predicted lineup vs Pachuca: (4-4-2): Schlager; Lainer, Rasmussen, Gadou, Mellberg; Bidstrup, Kawamura, Nene Gloukh; Baidoo, Ratkov.
RB Salzburg player to watch vs Pachuca
Dorgeles Nene was Salzburg's top-scorer this season with 15 goals, on target against both Twente and Dynamo Kyiv in Champions League qualifiers, so will he be the star in Cincinnati?
Pachuca vs RB Salzburg prediction
As alluded to earlier, neither of these two clubs are at the peak of their powers, but we are backing Pachuca for victory at TQL Stadium for, what would be, a minor upset: Pachuca 2-1 RB Salzburg.
Pachuca vs RB Salzburg FAQs - FIFA Club World Cup
How to watch Pachuca vs RB Salzburg FIFA Club World Cup game on TV channel?
Pachuca vs RB Salzburg 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 Pachuca vs RB Salzburg FIFA Club World Cup game on live streaming?
Pachuca vs RB Salzburg 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 Pachuca vs RB Salzburg in the FIFA Club World Cup?
Pachuca vs RB Salzburg takes place on Wednesday 18 June 2025, with kick off at 23:00 (BST), 18:00 (EDT) & 15:00 (PDT).