IT took until the 10th attempt for a South American team to be beaten at the 2025 Club World Cup. Within that run of results was an upset win for Botafogo over Paris Saint-Germain and a comprehensive victory for Flamengo against Chelsea. Even when the run ended, Boca Juniors were competitive as they lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich.

Nobody knew what to expect from this summer’s Club World Cup. There was fear that Europe’s best teams would dominate the competition, such is the financial advantage they have. Instead, teams from Argentina and Brazil are giving the likes of Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and PSG a run for their money.

That money, of course, is the primary reason why Europe’s biggest clubs are so desperate to lift the new Club World Cup trophy. The winners of the tournament will walk away with £100m in prize money, which could be significant in the age of FFP and PSR. Even for state-owned clubs like Manchester City and PSG, this would make a big difference.

It would make an even bigger difference to a South American club. The winners of last season’s Copa Libertadores collected £15m in prize money, putting into sharp focus just how transformative a bounty of £100m would be to one of the Club World Cup contenders from Argentina or Brazil. 

Flamengo look to be the strongest of the South American contingent. Filipe Luis’ team are currently leading the way at the top of the Brasileiro table and have started the Club World Cup with confidence, comfortably winning back-to-back games against Esperance and Chelsea. The latter win was a statement result.

 

Botafogo similarly put down a marker with an impressive win over European opposition, beating PSG. The Copa Libertadores champions might not have performed with the same swagger as Flamengo, but Renato Paiva’s side more than held their own in a difficult group that also included Atletico Madrid, making it through to the last 16.

 

Fluminense are unbeaten, having drawn against Borussia Dortmund and beaten Ulsan HD. Palmeiras topped their group. Boca Juniors and River Plate still need results in their final group fixtures to make the last 16, but have offered glimpses of their desire for the big occasion. Boca’s 2-2 draw against Benfica was one of the best matches of the tournament so far.

It’s not just on the pitch that the South Americans are making their mark. Indeed, Argentinean and Brazilian fans have given the Club World Cup life with the noise and colour they have brought to the tournament. Even more vibrant supporter showings await as the stakes get even higher in the knockout rounds.

While the European narrative around the expanded Club World Cup has been one of scepticism, the tournament has been seen in a completely different way around the rest of the world. For South America’s biggest clubs in particular, this summer is an opportunity to turn back the clock to a time when some of the best players in the sport played in Argentina and Brazil.

 

Pele, for example, never played for a European team, spending the majority of his career at Santos. Diego Maradona had spells with three different Argentinean clubs when he was considered the greatest player of his generation. Before the modern age, South American clubs were very much the equal of their European counterparts.

These days will remain a thing of the past no matter what happens at the Club World Cup. The best South American players will still head to Europe for money and prestige. Nonetheless, the much-maligned Club World Cup has shone a light on football outside Europe. With the world watching, South American club football is gaining newfound respect.

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