These two clubs met for the very first time during the Champions League in January, with Real Madrid 5-1 winners at the Bernabéu; Rodrygo and Vinícius Júnior both bagging braces.
Overall, los Blancos have won 14 of 24 meetings with Austrian clubs, their most-recent such defeat coming against Wacker Innsbruck 55 years ago.
RB Salzburg vs Real Madrid preview
It is all to play for at Lincoln Financial Field, so who will reach the Club World Cup knockout stages? Real Madrid are the record five-times winners of this competition, very much amongst the favourites to go all the way this summer, but their campaign got off to an inauspicious start. First up, los Blancos were held to a 1-1 draw by Al-Hilal in Miami, with Fede Valverde seeing a last-gasp penalty saved.
Then, just seven minutes into Sunday's clash with Pachuca in Charlotte, Raúl Asencio was sent off by referee Ramon Abatti for hauling down Salomón Rondón, who was clean through. Xabi Alonso's side appeared to be in a predicament, but quick-fire goals from Jude Bellingham and then Arda Güler sparked their summer into life. Valverde bundled home a third 20 minutes from time, quelling any hope Tuzos had of a comeback, as it finished 3-1 in North Carolina. So, los Merengues require just a draw in Pennsylvania to progress to the last 16, but will be targeting the win that'll secure top spot.
That though could be easier said then done because, despite lowly pre-tournament expectations, RB Salzburg also have four points to their name, thereby also on the cusp of the round of 16. In their opener, die Roten Bullen battled to a 2-1 victory over Pachuca in Cincinnati, thanks to a stunning strike from Oscar Gloukh and a late header by Karim Onisiwo. Then, late on Sunday night, Thomas Letsch's side held Al-Hilal to a credible goalless draw in Washington DC, which could prove crucial.
Not so long ago, Salzburg won ten successive Austrian Bundesliga titles, picking up eight ÖFB-Cups during this period too, but, having finished second in back-to-back seasons, very little was expected of them this summer. In fact, it's just 26 days until next season starts for this team, facing Brann in Bergen in the second round of Champions League qualifying next month. However, a positive result here could see them extend this season by at least one more game.
The winners of this clash in Pennsylvania will be through, while the losers will be out, assuming Al-Hilal defeat Pachuca in Nashville simultaneously. If this is a draw and Al-Hilal win, it'll come down to head-to-head goals scored, which is where things could get complicated. Thus, both will simply be focussed on collecting three points in Philadelphia, with Real Madrid firm favourites to do so.
RB Salzburg vs Real Madrid head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 1.
- RB Salzburg Wins: 0. Draws: 0. Real Madrid Wins: 1.
RB Salzburg team news
With Alexander Schlager still sidelined, 18 year old Christian Zawieschitzky will once again be donning the gloves, having impressed so far. Soumaila Diabate came in for Valentin Sulzbacher at the base of midfield against Al-Hilal, while the match-winner against Pachuca, namely Karim Onisiwo, could continue up front, getting the nod over Petar Ratkov in Thomas Letsch's attack.
RB Salzburg predicted lineup vs Real Madrid: (4-3-3): Zawieschitzky; Lainer, Rasmussen, Gadou, Krätzig; Bidstrup, Diabate, Nene, Gloukh; Baidoo, Ratkov
RB Salzburg player to watch vs Real Madrid
Oscar Gloukh scored a stunning strike against Pachuca in die Roten Bullen's opener, his 12th of the season, so could he be their hero here?
Real Madrid team news
Raúl Asencio's red card on Sunday means he is suspended, leaving Xabi Alonso short of defensive options, given that David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão and Ferland Mendy all remain injured, In better news, Antonio Rüdiger came off the bench against Pachuca, his first appearance since the Copa del Rey Final on 26 April, so could he see more action here?
With the German unlikely to start, Aurélien Tchouaméni is expected to fill-in alongside Dean Huijsen at centre-back, meaning either the departing Luka Modrić, Arda Güler or Dani Ceballos in midfield.
Lastly, Kylian Mbappé is yet to feature at the Club World Cup, spending two nights in hospital due to gastroenteritis, so Gonzalo García is set to lead the line for a third successive game, with Endrick also currently sidelined.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs RB Salzburg: (4-3-3): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Huijsen, Tchouaméni, García; Valverde, Güler, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinícius, Gonzalo García.
Real Madrid player to watch vs RB Salzburg
Vinícius Júnior is yet to get off the mark at the Club World Cup, but he did score 21 times this season, two of which came against Salzburg in January, so will he be on target in Philly?
RB Salzburg vs Real Madrid prediction
We're forecasting a very comfortable victory for Real Madrid at Lincoln Financial Field, sending los Blancos through and leaving Salzburg in danger of elimination: RB Salzburg 0-3 Real Madrid.
RB Salzburg vs Real Madrid FAQs - FIFA Club World Cup
How to watch RB Salzburg vs Real Madrid FIFA Club World Cup game on TV channel?
RB Salzburg vs Real Madrid 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 RB Salzburg vs Real Madrid FIFA Club World Cup game on live streaming?
RB Salzburg vs Real Madrid 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 RB Salzburg vs Real Madrid in the FIFA Club World Cup?
RB Salzburg vs Real Madrid takes place on Thursday 26 June 2025, with kick off at 2:00am (BST), 21:00 (EDT) & 18:00 (PDT).