The Club World Cup is one of the biggest soccer tournaments in the world. This year, it has changed to a new 32-team format, and it’s being held in the United States. Teams from all over the globe are competing to become the best club in the world. But one surprising thing is happening — South American teams are playing really well and are giving European teams a hard time.
A Shocking Start for Europe
South American teams went unbeaten for the first several games of the tournament. That means they either won or tied every match. It wasn’t until Friday night that a team from South America finally lost a game — and even then, it was only because of a late goal. That game happened when Boca Juniors, a famous club from Argentina, lost to Bayern Munich of Germany. The game was close, but Bayern scored near the end to win 1–0.
Even though Boca lost, they had amazing support. Fans filled the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, waving flags and singing songs. It felt like their home stadium, La Bombonera, had been magically moved to the U.S.
⚽ Soccer Fact: Boca Juniors is one of the most popular and successful teams in South America. They’ve won the Copa Libertadores (South America’s version of the UEFA Champions League) six times!
Big Wins for South America
Other South American teams have done even better. Botafogo, the champions of the Copa Libertadores, beat Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) from France 1–0 in Pasadena. PSG are the champions of Europe and have stars like Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, so that win was a big surprise.
Another shocking result came when Flamengo, one of the biggest clubs in Brazil, came from behind to beat Chelsea, a Premier League team from England. European teams are usually expected to win these matches, but that hasn’t been the case this time.
Other South American teams like Palmeiras, Fluminense, and Boca Juniors have also either beaten or tied against strong European opponents. Many people now believe that the only teams that can stop Europe from winning this new Club World Cup will be from South America.
The Fans Make a Difference
One big reason why South American teams are doing so well is their fans. Supporters from Brazil and Argentina have traveled in large numbers to cities all over the U.S. to cheer on their teams. Stadiums in Miami, Philadelphia, and Pasadena have been filled with chants, drums, and colorful flags.
During the Boca vs. Bayern game, even Bayern’s coach, Vincent Kompany, was amazed. “It was like an away game for us,” he said. “Anyone who knows soccer knows how hard it is to play against these teams in this kind of atmosphere.”
⚽ Soccer Fact: In soccer, a team has a “home advantage” when they play in front of their fans. Fans cheering loudly can boost players’ energy and confidence.
Even though American soccer fans have come out to support European teams like Chelsea and Manchester City, not many fans from Europe have traveled across the Atlantic. That means most games feel like home games for South American clubs.
Money vs. Motivation
There’s a big difference in how much money European clubs have compared to South American clubs. In a recent list of the world’s richest clubs, the top 29 teams were all from Europe. The richest club, Real Madrid, made over one billion euros ($1.07 billion) last year. Meanwhile, Flamengo, the richest South American team, came in 30th place with about €198 million ($211 million).
But even though they don’t have as much money, South American teams still have lots of talent. Flamengo has Jorginho, who helped Italy win the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament. Many South American clubs have players who’ve played in top European leagues before returning to their home countries.
Borussia Dortmund’s coach, Niko Kovac, said that Brazilian teams are very strong and well organized. His team, Dortmund, tied 0–0 with Fluminense, a top Brazilian team. “I believe most South American teams will move to the next round,” he said.
⚽ Soccer Fact: Borussia Dortmund plays in the Bundesliga, Germany’s top soccer league. They are known for their fast-paced, attacking style.
Heat, Travel, and Tired Legs
One thing that might be making it hard for European teams is the weather. The games are being played in hot and humid conditions, especially in places like Florida and California. South American teams are used to playing in these kinds of environments, but European teams are not.
Also, European clubs are coming to this tournament at the end of a long season. For example, PSG played almost 60 games before winning the Champions League final in May. That means their players are tired and possibly burned out.
In contrast, South American teams are in the middle of their season, and their players are fresher and more ready to compete. Chelsea’s coach, Enzo Maresca, even mentioned that the heat and fatigue could be a problem for his team before their game with Flamengo.
Respect from Coaches
Even though South American teams are doing well, Flamengo’s coach Filipe Luis was still surprised. He used to play for Atletico Madrid in Spain and Chelsea in England, so he knows how good European teams are. “I didn’t expect these results,” he said. “The top clubs in Europe are the absolute elite. There are maybe 10 or 12 clubs at the very top of world football.”
But he added something important: “South American teams are very competitive.”
Bayern’s coach Kompany also said that the key to winning these matches is to match the hunger of teams like Boca Juniors. “They have good players and great support,” he said. “We need to want the win just as badly as they do.”
What Happens Next?
The knockout rounds of the Club World Cup are coming soon, and it looks like South American teams will be well represented. With strong performances, passionate fans, and smart tactics, they’ve shown the world they belong on the big stage.
⚽ Soccer Fact: The last time a South American team won the Club World Cup was in 2012, when Corinthians beat Chelsea 1–0 in the final.
Can history repeat itself in 2025? Only time will tell — but one thing is clear: South America is here to compete.
