Club World Cup Profile: Flamengo

The next South American team that will feature on the global stage of the Club World Cup is Flamengo. The Brazilian side has won 14 trophies in their history as a club. The Série A club is competing in Group E of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup alongside Espérance Sportive de Tunis, Chelsea, and LAFC. They open their CWC campaign against Tunisian side Espérance Sportive de Tunis at Lincoln Field on June 16 with kickoff set for 9:00 PM ET.

(Images courtesy of FIFA)

Route to Qualification:

Flamengo achieved qualification to this year’s Club World Cup after a 1-0 win over Athletico Paranaense in the 2022 Copa Libertadores final, it was the club’s third Libertadores title. Gabriel Barbosa scored the game-winning goal.

Historical Facts:

1895- Club was founded in Rio de Janeiro, it was originally a rowing club that young people from the Flamengo neighborhood could become a part of. The purpose of the rowing club was to compete against other rowing teams from other parts of Rio. Later, the rowing club would participate in other sporting activities.

1914- Flamengo won the Campeonato Caricoa for the first time, their first ever title as a club. The Brazilian side would win the title again a year later and also in 1920, 1921, and 1925.

1939- Brazilian football legend Zizinho joined Flamengo. He scored 146 goals in 318 appearances for Flamengo during his time at the club from 1939 to 1950.

1980- Flamengo won their first ever Série A title. It was the start of a golden age for the Brazilian side as they would win two back-to-back league titles in 1982 and 1983.

1981- Seen as the most successful season in club history for Flamengo. They won their first ever Copa Libertadores title after a 4-2 aggregate win over Chilean side Cobreloa in a third legged final. Flamengo player Zico scored four goals for Flamengo during the three leg series against Coboreloa. In addition to Flamengo’s Libertadores title, the club also won the InterContinental Cup in Tokyo with a 3-0 win over European Cup champions Liverpool. Nunes and Adílio were the goalscorers for Flamengo. It was an unforgettable year for the club as they won the Copa Libertadores, the Campeonato Caricoa, and the InterContinental Cup in only 21 days.

2019- Flamengo made their first ever appearance at the Club World Cup and shocked the world with an impressive run. They had a 3-1 comeback win over Al Hilal in the semi-finals against Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal with goals from De Arrascaeta, Bruno Henrique, and an own goal from Ali Hadi Mohammed Al-Bulaihi. Despite their 1-0 loss to Liverpool in the final of the CWC, making it that far was a remarkable feat for the Brazilian side.

2020- Flamengo won the quadruple with a Série A title, Campeonato Caricoa title, Supercopa do Brasil title, and Recopa Sudamericana title.

Most Important Player: Giorgian de Arrascaeta:

Giorgian de Arrascaeta is currently Flamengo’s most important player. The 31 year old Uruguyan attacking midfielder has 12 goals and six assists in 26 appearances in all competitions for the Brazilian side this season. He is a prolific goal-scorer with 75 goals in all competitions since he arrived at Flamengo in 2019. Additionally, he is an elite chance creator as the Uruguayan has 68 assists in Série A, this is the third most assists since the league adopted a straight league format in 2003. He is only trailing in all-time assists behind former Flamengo midfielder Everton Ribeiro (69) and Dudu (71).

Potential Breakout Player: Wallace Yan

Wallace Yan is a prospect for Flamengo to watch during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The 21 year old Brazilian forward has scored four goals in 10 appearances for the first team. He is a talented and versatile player with great vision. Yan was the leading goalscorer in the 2024 U-20 Copa Libertadores and U-20 Intercontinental Cup.

Season Outlook:

The national league season has just begun for Flamengo as they started league play at the end of March. They are currently in first place in Série A with 24 points and 7W-3D-1L out of 11 matches played so far. Cruzeiro and Bragatino have one point less than Flamengo but Cruzeiro is in second place with a higher goal differential.

Outside of the national league, Flamengo has been on a good run so far. The Brazilian powerhouse has already won a trophy after their 2-1 aggregate win in March over Fluminese in the 2025 Campeonato Caricoa Final. Wesley França and Juninho were the goalscorers. After Flamengo’s 4-2 aggregate win over Botafogo PB in the third round of the Copa Do Brasil in late May, they are going to face Atlético Mineiro in the Round of 16. The first leg match will be on July 30 with kickoff TBD followed by the second leg match on August 6 with kickoff TBD. Additionally, Flamengo have advanced to the Round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores after finishing in second place of Group C with 11 points and 3W-2L-1D out of six matches played. Flamengo had the same amount of points (11) as LDU Quito. Yet, Flamengo finished in second place because of a lower goal differential. The Brazilian side will now take on fellow Brazilian side Internacional in the Round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores. The first leg match will be on August 13 with kickoff set for 8:30 PM ET followed by the second leg match on August 20 with kickoff set for 8:30 PM ET.

At the Club World Cup, Flamengo will be looking to build on their CWC success in 2019 by aiming to win the tournament.