Club World Cup stage set for Estevao's Palmeiras swansong

Palmeiras, champions of the 2021 Copa Libertadores, travel to the Club World Cup aiming to uphold the honour of CONMEBOL football. They also lifted the continental crown in 2020 — their third title overall — underlining their status as one of the true powerhouses of Brazilian football.

Abel Ferreira's Verdao land in the United States as leaders of the Brazilian league and are already safely through to the Libertadores last 16, midway through a strong domestic campaign.

They've been drawn into Group A alongside Egypt's Al Ahly, Messi's Inter Miami and Porto, and should be well in the running to top the group and reach at least the knockout stage.

Squad list

Players to watch

In January, Palmeiras made headlines by signing Barcelona's Vitor Roque, a useful attacking boost for a squad that already includes Brazil international Estevao.

The young winger has been called up by Carlo Ancelotti for the June international window and will use the Club World Cup as his parting act before joining Chelsea.

Indeed, Estevao is the face of this Palmeiras side. The electric 17-year-old has already broken into the Brazil senior team, scoring 26 goals and providing 15 assists across two seasons.

After the tournament, he'll join Chelsea in a €34 million move that has already been confirmed. The Club World Cup marks his final appearance for the three-time Libertadores champions.

Also attracting attention is Vitor Roque, whose return to Brazil has yet to spark fireworks — he's scored just twice in 19 appearances. Still, he's likely to start in the World Cup, where Ferreira hopes to rediscover the best version of playmaker Raphael Veiga.

The midfielder — once linked to Barcelona — has had a stop-start year due to injuries, but is regaining rhythm and remains the heartbeat of Palmeiras at full fitness.

Holding midfield duties fall to Richard Rios, one of the Verdao's engines. The 25-year-old Colombian is a fixture in midfield alongside Emiliano Martinez, though Rios is the more adventurous of the two.

He's chipped in with four goals and two assists so far this campaign. At the back, 37-year-old veteran Weverton remains one of Brazil's most trusted goalkeepers.

Coach

Orchestrating it all is Abel Ferreira, now in his fifth season with Palmeiras. The 46-year-old Portuguese coach joined the club in November 2020 after a stint with Greek side PAOK, and has since delivered ten trophies — including back-to-back Libertadores titles (2020, 2021), a Recopa Sudamericana (2022), and two Brazilian league crowns (2022, 2023).

Ferreira's top-flight coaching career began in 2017 with Braga, where he set club records for points and goals in a single season. PAOK paid two million euros to lure him from Portugal in 2019, but after 18 months, he moved to Brazil and has since established himself as one of South America's most decorated managers.

Group stage fixtures

Matchday 1

Palmeiras open their campaign on Monday, 16 June, against Porto at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The Portuguese side, European and Intercontinental champions in 2004, have qualified for the tournament via UEFA's ranking system. This will be the first-ever meeting between Verdao and a Portuguese club.

Matchday 2

Just three days later, on Thursday, 19 June, Palmeiras face Al Ahly SC at the same venue. The Egyptian giants won the African Champions League three times in the current Club World Cup cycle — 2021, 2023 and 2024.

Matchday 3

Palmeiras round off the group stage with a clash against hosts Inter Miami on Tuesday, 24 June, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The MLS side — led by Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba — are competing as winners of the 2024 Supporters' Shield.

Palmeiras have never faced an MLS side in official competition.

Possible starting XI