The Daily Star Ireland
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup commences with a compelling Group B encounter between Brazil’s Botafogo and Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders. Scheduled for Monday, June 16, at 02:00 UTC (Sunday, June 15, at 19:00 local time), the match will take place at Seattle’s Lumen Field. This fixture marks the beginning of a challenging group stage for both teams, which also includes European heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético Madrid.
Botafogo Overview
Botafogo enters the tournament as the reigning Copa Libertadores champions, aiming to assert their dominance on the global stage. Despite a historic 2024 season, the team has faced challenges in 2025, including a ninth-place finish in the Campeonato Carioca and struggles in the Brasileirão, where they have secured only one win in five matches.
Under the leadership of manager Renato Paiva, Botafogo has made significant investments to strengthen their squad. Notable acquisitions include forwards Arthur Cabral and Joaquín Correa, as well as midfielder Santiago Rodríguez . These additions aim to bolster the team’s attacking options and provide tactical flexibility.
In recent matches, Botafogo has displayed a mixed form, with a record of three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five outings. Their attacking prowess remains evident, averaging over two goals per game during this period, though defensive vulnerabilities have been a concern.
Seattle Sounders Overview
The Seattle Sounders approach the Club World Cup with the advantage of hosting the opening match. Their recent form includes two wins, one draw, and two losses in their last five matches, highlighting inconsistencies that they will aim to rectify .
Head coach Brian Schmetzer emphasizes a pragmatic approach, focusing on defensive solidity and capitalizing on counter-attacking opportunities. Midfielder Albert Rusnák has been instrumental in the team’s offensive efforts, contributing significantly to their goal tally.
The Sounders’ participation in the 2023 Club World Cup ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Al Ahly, providing valuable experience that they hope to leverage in this year’s expanded format.
Head-to-Head and Tactical Considerations
This match marks the first-ever meeting between Botafogo and Seattle Sounders, adding an element of unpredictability to the encounter. Botafogo’s attacking depth, featuring players like Arthur Cabral and Joaquín Correa, poses a significant threat to Seattle’s defense. Conversely, the Sounders will rely on their home advantage and the creative influence of Albert Rusnák to challenge Botafogo’s backline.
Prediction
Considering Botafogo’s recent form and attacking capabilities, they are slightly favored to secure a victory in this opening match. However, Seattle’s home advantage and experience in high-stakes matches could result in a closely contested game.
Prediction: Botafogo 2:0 Seattle Sounders
