Flamengo and Espérance Sportive de Tunis Meet in Philadelphia’s Club World Cup Opener

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has arrived. The new addition will mark the largest format of the historical competition meant to bring the world’s best clubs together. Over 63 games and 11 cities, the monthlong event will serve as a lead up to next summer’s FIFA Club World Cup and a test run for Philadelphia’s capacity to host a global event. The first of eight games will begin tonight at Lincoln Financial Field when Brazilian super club Flamengo takes on Espérance Sportive de Tunis in a Group D matchup at 9 p.m. EST.

CR Flamengo
Flamengo, one of Brazil’s largest and most historic clubs, qualified for the Club World Cup after winning the 2022 Copa Libertadores. Months after defeating fellow Brazilians Athletico Paranaense 1-0 in the final, Flamengo finished third in the 2022 Club World Cup. Three-time winners of the Copa Libertadores, Flamengo finished runners-up in the 2019 Club World Cup, failing to Liverpool 1-0. In 1981, led by Zico, the Rubro-Negra defeated Liverpool in the
Intercontinental Cup, a precursor to the Club World Cup that has expanded from FIFA’s South America-Europe Champions format and dates back to the mid-19 th century.

Flamengo has won 7 Brazil league titles, 5 Brazilian cups, and 39 Carioca titles, including 5 of the last 7. The Carioca Campeonato is a state league in Rio that includes all professional teams and began in the early 1900s. All of Brazil’s professional teams play the state season in the beginning of the year before starting the domestic and international competitions, a tradition that strengthens the culture of the game as well as the local rivalries. In 1990, Flamengo won
the Marlboro Cup at Giants Stadium and also played in the FC Series in Orlando in 2019 and again to start this season.

Currently at the top of the table in the Brazilian Serie A, Flamengo will face Atlético Mineiro in late July in the Copa do Brasil and fellow Brazilian club Internacional in the Round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores. Despite a full schedule, Flamengo is in the middle of its competitive season and should be considered one of the favorites out of South America to make a long run. With new additions Jorginho (Arsenal) and Danilo (Juventus), Flamengo has a roster full of experience that begins with steady Brazilian national team defender Alex Sandro. Forward Giorgian de Arascaetta leads the attack with 12 goals in all competitions this season. The Uruguayan World Cup veteran has been with the club since 2019, arguably one of the most successful periods in club history. Bruno Henrique and Everton Soares will be two attacking players to watch as the club’s style promises to entertaining.

Espérance Sportive de Tunis
Espérance Sportive des Tunis, also known ES Tunis, qualified for the Club World Cup as the best-ranked club in the CAF rankings. The Tunisian Professional League 1 Champions, a title the club has won 34 times, hosited four CAF Champions League trophies, the most recent coming back-to-back in 2018 and 2019 over current CWC competitors Al Ahly and Wydad AC respectively. ES Tunis has appeared in three previous Club World Cups, finishing fifth place
twice. Nicknamed the Mkashkha, ES Tunis arrive in the U.S. fresh off a league-cup double. They defeated Stade Tunisien 1-0 to lift the Tunisian Cup two weeks ago, the 16 th domestic trophy for the club that was founded in 1919. The Mkashkha reached the quarterfinal of this season’s CAF Champions League, falling to fellow CWC participant Mamelodi Sundowns.

Youcef Belaïli leads the Tunisian side’s attack with 18 goals and 16 assists in all competitions. The former Tunisian Professional League 1 top scorer has 54 caps for Algeria and won the African Cup of Nations in 2019, scoring 2 of his career 8 goals. Brazilian Yan Sasse has 15 goals and 2 assists in all competitions. The former Cortiba and Vasco de Gama forward had spells in Turkiye and New Zealand before finding his home in Tunisia, scoring 21 goals and adding 10
assists over two seasons. Nigerian Onuche Ogbelu appeared 33 times in all competitions at central midfield, scoring twice, including the winner in the Tunisian Cup final. Tunisian international Mohamed Amine Ben Yamida has over 176 appearances for ES Tunis. The left wing back will be an added presence in the ES Tunis attack while Algerian international Mohamed Amine Tougai anchors the central defense, appearing nearly 150 times for the club.

How to Watch:
Flamengo vs ES Tunis
Lincoln Financial Field
9 p.m. EST
Tickets are still available
Stream on DAZN