Flamengo vs Los Angeles FC: Rubro-Negro fields mixed team and aims for prizes in the Club World Cup

Flamengo and Los Angeles FC take the field on Tuesday night, June 24, 2025, at 9:00 PM (Brasília time), for a match in the third round of the Club World Cup group stage. The game, held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, United States, marks the end of the first phase for the Rubro-Negro, who have already secured a spot in the round of 16. Under coach Filipe Luís, the Brazilian team aims to consolidate leadership of Group D, secure a significant financial bonus, and maintain their unbeaten streak in the tournament. Despite Los Angeles FC being eliminated, the match promises intensity, with Flamengo fielding a mixed lineup to rest key players. The game will be broadcast live on Globo, SporTV, Disney+, and CazéTV, reaching millions of fans.

The clash carries high expectations, especially for Flamengo, who won their two previous matches against Esperance de Tunis (2-0) and Chelsea (3-1). The Rubro-Negro delegation is staying about 30 minutes from the stadium, in a high-end hotel in Orlando, ensuring comfort and focus. Additionally, the match offers a chance to set a record: a win could see Flamengo close the group stage with a 100% win rate, a rare feat in the competition.

Los Angeles FC, on the other hand, faces a different reality. After losses to Chelsea (2-0) and Esperance de Tunis (1-0), the North American team has no chance of advancing. Still, the squad led by Steve Cherundolo vows to end their campaign with dignity, especially playing at home.

• Flamengo’s goals: Secure Group D leadership and earn the financial bonus.
• LAFC’s challenges: Overcome their lack of wins and score in the tournament.
• Broad broadcast: Globo, SporTV, Disney+, and CazéTV ensure fan access.

Estados Unidos, Mengão em campo e você nas arquibancadas. A gente cuida da sua viagem.

Cobertura médica internacional, proteção para sua bagagem, suporte em imprevistos e muito mais.

Assist Card. O seguro viagem oficial da Nação Rubro-Negra.
❤️🖤#AssistCard #Flamengo… pic.twitter.com/EsglUZZgPI

— Flamengo (@Flamengo) June 24, 2025

Rubro-Negro preparation for the match

Flamengo’s schedule for the game was meticulously planned. The day began with lunch at noon, followed by a reinforced snack at 5:50 PM. The delegation left the hotel at 6:50 PM, with an expected arrival at Camping World Stadium by 7:30 PM. The choice of uniform also reflects strategy: Flamengo will wear their white away kit, while Los Angeles FC will don their primary black-and-gold kit. This decision may carry superstition, as the white kit has been linked to strong performances in international competitions.

Filipe Luís confirmed he will use a mixed lineup, resting players at risk of suspension, such as Bruno Henrique, Gerson, Erick Pulgar, and Gonzalo Plata. The absence of Giorgian De La Cruz, recovering from right knee pain, is confirmed. The Uruguayan has not played in the first two matches, and his participation in the round of 16 remains uncertain, per the club’s medical staff.

Flamengo’s performance in the Club World Cup

Flamengo entered the Club World Cup as a favorite after winning the 2022 Libertadores. Their campaign so far reinforces this status. In their debut, they defeated Esperance de Tunis with goals from Pedro and Everton Cebolinha. Against Chelsea, in a memorable match at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, the team staged a comeback with standout performances from Bruno Henrique and Danilo, who scored a decisive goal.

The 3-1 win over Chelsea not only secured early qualification but also placed Flamengo as the sole leader of Group D with six points. Results in the round, including Esperance’s win over Los Angeles FC, guaranteed the Brazilian team’s top spot with one game to spare. Now, the focus is on maintaining momentum and avoiding injuries before the knockout stage.

• Flamengo highlights:
• Rossi, with crucial saves against Chelsea.
• Bruno Henrique, pivotal in the comeback against the English side.
• Danilo, a defender who scored and showed defensive solidity.
• Pedro, the team’s top scorer in the tournament with two goals.

Los Angeles FC: an opponent seeking redemption

Despite their elimination, Los Angeles FC should not be underestimated. Runners-up in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League, they earned their Club World Cup spot by defeating América from Mexico 2-1 in a June 2025 playoff. The team features experienced players like goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, formerly of Tottenham, and forward Denis Bouanga, their main attacking threat.

However, their tournament performance has been underwhelming. The loss to Chelsea in the opener exposed defensive weaknesses, with goals conceded to Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernández. Against Esperance, they created chances but missed a late penalty, sealing their elimination. Coach Steve Cherundolo stated the team studied Flamengo and will look to exploit potential gaps in their defense.

Group D scenario and next steps

Group D, comprising Flamengo, Chelsea, Esperance de Tunis, and Los Angeles FC, already has Flamengo confirmed as the leader. The second spot will be decided in the Chelsea vs. Esperance match, held simultaneously in Orlando. Regardless of the result, Flamengo will face the second-placed team from Group C in the round of 16, which could be Bayern Munich, Benfica, or Boca Juniors.

The knockout stage, starting June 28, will feature single-elimination matches, increasing pressure on the teams. For Flamengo, preparations for the round of 16 are underway, with Filipe Luís planning to rotate the squad to preserve key players’ energy.

Logistical details and fan support

Choosing Camping World Stadium as the match venue reflects the Club World Cup’s grandeur. With a capacity of about 60,000 spectators, the stadium is one of the tournament’s 12 venues across 11 U.S. cities. The proximity of Flamengo’s hotel, just 30 minutes away, eases logistics and minimizes player fatigue.

The Rubro-Negro fanbase, known for its passion, has been visible in Orlando. Local Brazilian restaurants, like Camila’s, have become gathering spots for supporters, who have also engaged in friendly rivalries with Palmeiras fans in the U.S. Expectations are high for a significant crowd at the stadium, with flags and chants set to turn Camping World into a red-and-black cauldron.

Financial aspects of the match

Beyond securing leadership and maintaining their unbeaten run, Flamengo has a substantial financial incentive. Each group-stage win in the Club World Cup yields a significant bonus, estimated in millions of dollars, per FIFA. These funds, combined with prizes for advancing further, could bolster the club’s budget for signings and infrastructure.

Even eliminated, Los Angeles FC seeks the prize for a potential win, which would provide financial and moral relief. However, the difference in motivation tilts the scales toward Flamengo, who are riding high after convincing wins in earlier rounds.

Uniforms and symbolism

The decision to wear the white away kit against Los Angeles FC carries special symbolism. Flamengo’s reserve kit, used in historic moments like the 2019 Libertadores final, is seen as a lucky charm by fans. Los Angeles FC, in their black-and-gold primary kit, will aim to impose their style, marked by quick transitions and wide play.

The match will be officiated by Salman Falahi, with Juan Gabriel Benitez as the fourth official. FIFA assigned an experienced refereeing crew to ensure the game flows smoothly, though it won’t directly impact qualification, it holds symbolic weight for both clubs.

Club World Cup history

The 2025 Club World Cup is the first edition of the tournament in its expanded 32-team format, divided into eight groups. Running from June 14 to July 13, the competition serves as a test for the 2026 World Cup, which will also be hosted in the U.S. Flamengo, world champions in 1981, aim to repeat the feat in a more competitive field, facing giants like Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid.

The tournament has drawn global attention, with sold-out tickets for matches involving teams like Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, and an estimated audience of billions. The presence of four Brazilian clubs—Flamengo, Palmeiras, Fluminense, and Botafogo—underscores South American football’s strength on the world stage.

What to expect from the game

The Flamengo vs. Los Angeles FC clash promises to be a spectacle, despite differing stakes for each team. Flamengo, with a mixed lineup, is expected to maintain their attacking style, with players like Pedro, Everton Cebolinha, and Luiz Araújo probing the opposing defense. Los Angeles FC will rely on Bouanga’s speed and Lloris’ experience to pull off an upset.

The match will also be a chance for Flamengo’s young prospects, like Evertton Araújo and Wallace Yan, to gain minutes in a high-level competition. For fans, the game is another chapter in the Rubro-Negro’s campaign toward the dream of winning the world title, a feat that would cement the club’s dominance in Brazilian and South American football.