Underdogs Fluminense looking to make statement in Club World Cup

Fluminense's dabblings with stardom in recent seasons have been short-lived. The 2023 Copa Libertadores, won with Marcelo as one of the team's leading stars, earned a ticket to the revamped Club World Cup in which the Brazilians are taking part this month. Although these two years have seen a decline in the institution, several coaching changes and the farewell of that legend who punched the ticket to the land of the stars and stripes, perhaps this is the necessary context. It may even be the ideal one.

Renato Gaucho's side arrives without making too much noise and with a lot to gain. Having fallen behind in their home league, they are drawn alongside Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan HD and Mamelodi Sundowns in their group, making them favourites to reach the play-offs alongside the Germans. If the expedition is to reap rewards, it will find a direct echo with the fans, eager to build on the South American Cup Winners' Cup in 2024 and wary of forgetting the sidereal campaign that preceded it.

Another component that plays in their favour is the ‘home field factor’. Some participants in the competition will enjoy certain matches in their own stadiums. This is not the case for any of the ‘Flu's’ opponents, who fantasise about a comfortable home crowd for reasons of geographical proximity. This, viscerally, figures such as Thiago Silva provide experience and depth to a squad that, on a technical level, should be at least a cut above the Koreans and South Africans.

Squad list

Players to watch

Thiago Silva returned when he could still share a dressing room with another Fluminense legend, Marcelo, but, now, he is the only reference of such stature. It will be crucial that he provides his team-mates with calm on the most demanding stages. He knows them well from his past with Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. His armband has already propelled him through many a round, and this summer's could be the most special of his career.

With the squad already in the United States, the club confirmed the signing of Jefferson Soteldo from Santos. The 27-year-old, with experience in several American leagues, especially in the Brazilian league with Santos, the official announcement of his incorporation explained that he would travel directly to his new teammates' training camp. Perhaps he will be one of those surprise elements that any competition with unknown participants demands.

Jhon Arias is another of those called to the stage in the sense of the goal. He has been with the project since 2021, so he has experienced that promotion in the heat of the spotlight, those of the 2023 Libertadores, the moments leading up to it and the subsequent decline. He will be fundamental in transferring the hunger of that part of the dressing room that may not have the experience of Silva or the freshness of Soteldo, but does have the pride and sense of responsibility of dozens of games defending the same colours.

Coach

This is not Renauto Gaucho's first, second... or third spell at Fluminense. It has become something of a recurring solution when the board's ambitions are nowhere near what the pitch will bear witness to. The board hired him at the beginning of April, so he will not be three months into his tenure when the ball starts rolling. He has never left Brazil as a manager and has repeated in other destinations. The most representative is Gremio.

A hugely successful ex-footballer, the club seems to crave his ability to empathise with the player to place him in the importance of this tournament for his side. Again, there is a sense of anxiety after the glory moments of the 2023 Libertadores and 2024 Cup Winners' Cup, so it is key that he connects with the dressing room to integrate new players like Jefferson Soteldo with the glue of Thiago Silva. Short tournaments are about passion. He is not lacking in that.

Group stage fixtures

Matchday 1

Fluminense kick off their campaign with the toughest game of their group stage first: against Borussia Dortmund. The challenge against the Germans, in which the potential debut of Jobe Bellingham could be a major attraction, will take place on Tuesday 17th June at 18:00 Spanish time. It will serve as a starting point to test the Brazilians' ability to compete with projects accustomed to the delights of the super-elite. The backdrop will be MetLife Stadium, the venue for the final.

Matchday 2

On Sunday, 22th June at 00:00 GMT, Fluminense's must-win double-header kicks off. Whatever happens against Borussia Dortmund, their position against Ulsan HD and Mamelodi Sundowns is that of favourites, so they present themselves as either the perfect opportunity to correct an early slip-up or as the niche to extend their lead at the top if they are beaten at Signal Iduna Park. It will also be at MetLife.

Matchday 3 

The Hard Rock Stadium will be a crazy place as Fluminense bid farewell to the group stage. Their opponents, the Mamelodi Sundowns, will take to the pitch as obvious underdogs, so the stage is set for them to book their ticket to the play-offs. 

Possible starting XI