The Seattle Sounders are hosting Brazil side Botafogo on Sunday, June 15 in the team's first match of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ group stage. Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming competition and the Sounders’ first group stage opponent.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7 p.m. PT at Lumen Field (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised for FREE on DAZN.com.
FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025TM : The FIFA Club World Cup is a global tournament that features 32 of the best clubs from around the world. This year's edition will take place in North America, with Seattle serving as one of the 11 host cities. The final will be held on July 13 at MetLife Stadium.
CWC FORMAT: The Sounders are one of three Major League Soccer clubs participating in the newly formatted tournament. The 32 qualified teams from AFC, CAF, Concacaf, CONMEBOL, OFC and UEFA are separated into eight groups of four where the first and second place clubs from each group advance to the knockout rounds.
WHAT’S NEXT: Following the Sounders' match against Botafogo, the team will face Spanish giants Atlético de Madrid on June 19 and finish off the group stage against 2024/25 UEFA Champions League victors Paris Saint-Germain.
FIFA Club World Cup Hub
The biggest tournament in the history of global club soccer is just around the corner. This month, Sounders FC will compete in the the FIFA Club World Cup right here in Seattle. Placed in Group B, the Rave Green will face UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, Spanish giants Atlético de Madrid, and reigning South American champions Botafogo at Lumen Field during the group stage.
ABOUT BOTAFOGO: Founded in 1904, Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas is a Brasileiro Série A club, located in Rio de Janeiro. The 3x league champs host their home matches at Estádio Nilton Santos.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED: Botafago secured a spot in the 2025 CWC after defeating Atlético Mineiro 3-1 in the 2024 Copa Libertadores final.
CURRENT FORM: Botafogo is sixth in Brasileiro Série A, with 5 wins, 3 losses, 3 ties and a total of 18 points.
PLAYERS TO KNOW:
Artur Guimaraes: It is the winger's first season with the Brazilian club and he's already making an immediate impact following his stint with Russian Premier League side Zenit Saint Petersburg. In just ten matches with Botafogo, Artur has collected three assists and two goals for the club.
Igor Jesus: The striker currently leads Botafogo in goals this season (3) and totaled 9 last season. He left quite an impression on the pitch in 2024, earning his first international call-up in October for Brazil's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification games vs. Chile and Peru.
DÉJÀ VU FOR JP: Midfielder João Paulo is bound to see some familiar faces on Sunday night. Prior to joining the Sounders, JP spent three seasons with Botafogo where he made 106 appearances across all competitions.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: With Seattle selected as one of the 11 host cities for the international competition, the Sounders were able to have all three of their group stage matches at Lumen Field.
CHANCE TO MAKE HISTORY: The Sounders' previous experience at the Club World Cup in 2023 ended in a 1-0 loss against Egyptian side Al Ahly. That said, a win over Botafogo would mark a historic moment for the team with their first-ever victory in the global tournament.
COMMUNITY FAN FEST: Fans can fully immerse themselves in Sunday's matchday experience with the RAVE Meets World Community Fan Fest located in Occidental Park. RAVE Meets World will be transforming downtown into a can't-miss event for all soccer fans with giveaways, an open-play mini pitch, family-friendly games, food trucks, international beers on tap, live broadcasts of the game and musical performances.
