European Clubs Maintain Dominance Despite South American's Growth

European clubs dominance remains strong as the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, hosted in the United States under a new 32-team format, has already delivered drama, quality, and historic matchups. However, while South American clubs like Fluminense, Palmeiras, and Boca Juniors have shown promise, European dominance in global club football remains firmly intact. With several group stage games already played, the results suggest that South America is still struggling to break Europe’s stronghold on intercontinental competition.

Club World Cup 2025 Key Information

• Tournament Name: FIFA Club World Cup 2025
• Host Nation: United States
• Number of Teams: 32
• South American Clubs: Fluminense, Palmeiras, Boca Juniors, Botafogo, Flamengo, and others
• European Clubs: Borussia Dortmund, FC Porto, Benfica, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Manchester City
• Match Format: Group Stage followed by Knockouts
• South American Highlights:

1. Boca Juniors 2–2 Benfica
2. Fluminense 0–0 Borussia Dortmund
3. Palmeiras 0–0 Porto

• European Record: 33-match unbeaten streak vs non-European clubs since 2012
• Upcoming Clashes:

1. Botafogo vs Paris Saint-Germain
2. Flamengo vs Chelsea

South American Clubs Start Strong But Fall Short

Brazilian side Fluminense kicked off their campaign in Group F with a confident performance against Borussia Dortmund on June 17, 2025, at MetLife Stadium. Despite controlling possession and dictating the tempo, they were held to a 0-0 draw thanks to a stellar display from Dortmund’s Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. It was a game Fluminense could have won, but Europe’s defensive strength once again denied a South American breakthrough.

Palmeiras, another Brazilian powerhouse, took on FC Porto in a similarly dominant display. Played on June 15, also at MetLife Stadium, Palmeiras created chances and pressured Porto for much of the match. Yet, like Fluminense, they too were forced to settle for a goalless draw, missing the finishing edge needed to capitalize on their superior performance.

Boca Juniors, the legendary Argentinian club, came closest to claiming a South American win. In their Group C clash against Benfica at the Hard Rock Stadium, Boca jumped to a 2-0 lead with a lively first-half display. However, the Portuguese club responded with resilience, netting twice to salvage a 2-2 draw. It was a heartbreaking result for Boca, who had hoped to break Europe’s 13-year unbeaten run in the Club World Cup.

These results emphasize how challenging it remains for South American football clubs to defeat their European counterparts, despite possessing strong technical ability and passionate fan bases.

European Dominance Continues Since 2012

The last time a South American club defeated a European team in the Club World Cup was back in 2012, when Corinthians famously overcame Chelsea in the final. Since then, European clubs have gone 33 consecutive matches unbeaten against teams from other continents—a record that is still standing in 2025.

This dominance is rooted in both history and evolution. In the era of the Intercontinental Cup, South American teams enjoyed several famous victories. Clubs like Santos (1963), Flamengo (1981), and São Paulo (1992, 1993) delivered unforgettable wins over top European sides. At one stage, South America led Europe 20-14 in intercontinental titles.

But the tide turned after the 1995 Bosman ruling, which allowed European clubs to sign unlimited EU players, giving them greater squad depth and financial muscle. Meanwhile, South American clubs began losing top talents to Europe at increasingly younger ages, weakening their competitiveness on the global stage.

In the last 17 Club World Cup finals, European teams have won 16, a clear reflection of the growing gap in club football. Despite their technical skill, South American teams often lack the depth and tactical edge that European clubs bring to the tournament.

Still, the tournament in the USA brings fresh hope. The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 features 12 European clubs and six South American teams in a 32-team format. This new structure allows for more diverse matchups and gives underdog clubs a chance to challenge the elite.

Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva acknowledged South America’s strength: “Brazilian players are always technically strong, and they’re more used to the conditions here,” he said. “Being mid-season helps them physically too. Small factors like these can impact the results.”

Upcoming fixtures include Botafogo vs Paris Saint-Germain and Flamengo vs Chelsea, matches that could reignite the long-standing intercontinental rivalry. Flamengo is coming off a solid 2-0 win over Esperance de Tunis, and with massive traveling support, they will be eager to test Europe’s top sides.

While the scoreboard still favors Europe, South American football clubs remain passionate, skillful, and capable of competing at the highest level. With more fixtures left in the group stage, fans across the world are hoping for a shift in momentum—and maybe, finally, an end to Europe’s unbroken reign.