Fluminense Meets Borussia Dortmund in Club World Cup Opener
Fluminense will launch their FIFA Club World Cup campaign against German powerhouses Borussia Dortmund in their opening match of the tournament. Previously, Fluminense faced disappointment, having lost the final of the 2023-24 Club World Cup to Manchester City. The Brazilian team, who entered this season as four-time champions after winning the 2023 Copa Libertadores and the 2024 Recopa Sudamericana, will confront Dortmund, who have recently acquired their new talent, Jobe Bellingham. He is set to follow in the footsteps of his brother, who currently plays for Real Madrid.
Interestingly, Fluminense has never faced a German club in their history. In contrast, Dortmund boasts a rich history, having claimed victory in the 1997 Intercontinental Cup, which was the predecessor to the Club World Cup, overcoming Brazil’s Cruzeiro. Both teams are set to face South Africa’s Mamelodi and South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai in their group stage.
Viewing Information
- Date: Tuesday, June 17 | Time: 12 p.m. ET
- Location: MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Live stream: Watch on DAZN (Try for free)
- Odds: Fluminense +500; Draw +320; BVB -195
Predicted Line-ups
- Fluminense XI: Fabio; Samuel Xavier, Thiago Silva, Juan Freytes, Rene; Nonato, Thiago Santos, Martinelli; Arias, Everaldo, Kevin Serna.
- BVB XI: Gregor Kobel; Niklas Sule, Waldemar Anton, Ramy Bensebaini; Julian Ryerson, Marcel Sabitzer, Felix Nmecha, Daniel Svensson; Julian Brandt, Karim Adeyemi, Serhou Guirassy.
Notable Player
Jobe Bellingham
While Jobe Bellingham transitioned from Sunderland to Dortmund, he is unlikely to start on Tuesday but is anticipated to make an impact in the tournament, following a strong first week with the team. Manager Niko Kovac affirmed, “He will not start the match tomorrow, because I think he has only been with us for a week and it’s not sufficient to learn about our routines and our principles.” However, he also highlighted Bellingham’s impressive physical condition.
A Key Match-up: Gio Reyna
A successful performance in the Club World Cup could amplify Gio Reyna’s prospects for a strong summer, especially with the impending 2026 World Cup. Although Reyna missed the Gold Cup due to this tournament, it may serve as a pivotal moment in his career after he faced challenges in the previous season.
Prediction
Dortmund enters the match as the favorites, but Fluminense’s blend of experience and youth could make them a formidable opponent. Projected Result: Dortmund 2, Fluminense 1.
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