Seattle Sounders welcome Copa Libertadores holders Botafogo to Lumen Field for their opening Group B game at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Both teams are quite far removed from the moments of glory that secured their place at the expanded tournament.
The Sounders have not lifted major silverware since their 2022 CONCACAF Champions League success.
Even though Botafogo’s Libertadores triumph only came last year, making them the fourth Brazilian club to qualify for the Club World Cup, they have been hit by some key departures. Double-winning coach Artur Jorge also departed to take charge of Qatari Stars League side Al Rayyan in the afterglow of that triumph.
Both Botafogo and the Sounders will feel a positive start is key as they share a group with European giants Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid.
MORE: The entire 2025 Club World Cup match schedule & results
Botafogo vs. Seattle Sounders lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
Botafogo have been one of the busiest clubs in the pre-tournament transfer window. Goalkeeper Christian Loor, defender Kao Fernando, midfielder Alvaro Montoro and attacking duo Arthur Cabral and Joaquin Correa – a free transfer arrival from Inter Milan — have all come in to bolster Renato Paiva’s squad.
This is, in part, to offset the loss of Thiago Almeda and Luiz Henrique from the squad that won the Libertadores. Henrique opened the scoring in the final win over Atletico Mineiro and was named ‘Hero of the Tournament’ before joining Russian club Zenit St Petersburg.
Correa is understood to be shy of match fitness, while winger Cuiabano (back) joins Matheus Martins and Jeffinho on the sidelines.
Nottingham Forest-bound Igor Jesus and Savarino are likely to lead the attack.
John; Vitinho, Cunha, Barboza, Telles; Gregore, Freitas; Artur, Savarino, Rodriguez; Jesus
Botafogo predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): John(GK) — Vitinho, Cunha, Barboza, Telles — Gregore, Freitas — Artur, Savarino, Rodriguez — Jesus
Injured: Correa (doubt), Cuiabano, Martins, Jeffinho
Suspended: None.
MORE: Full list of players, squads for all 32 Club World Cup participants
Full Botafogo squad
Goalkeepers: John, Leo Linck, Cristhian Loor, Raul
Defenders: Alexander Barboza, Bastos, Cuiabano, Kaio Fernando, Jair, Marcal, Mateo Ponte, David Ricardo, Alex Telles, Vitinho
Midfielders: Allan, Danilo Barbosa, Marlon Freitas, Gregore, Alvaro Montoro, Newton, Santiago Rodriguez, Savarino
Forwards: Artur, Arthur Cabral, Igor Jesus, Kayke, Matheus Martins, Mastriani, Nathan, Rwan Cruz
Jesus Ferreira is set to start at centre-forward for Seattle because the franchise’s all-time top scorer, Jordan Morris, is a doubt with a hamstring injury.
Defensive duo Yeimar Gomez and Kim Kee-hee are also set to miss out with respective hamstring and calf complaints.
Joao Paulo will hope to feature against his former club.
Seattle Sounders predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Frei (GK) — A. Roldan, Ragen, Bell, Tolo — Vargas, C. Roldan — De la Vega, Rusnak, Kent — Ferreira
Injured: Morris (hamstring), Gomez (hamstring), Kim (calf)
Suspended: None.
Full Seattle Sounders squad
Goalkeepers: Jacob Castro, Stefan Frei, Andrew Thomas
Defenders: Cody Baker, Jon Bell, Yeimar Gomez Andrade, Kim Kee-hee, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi, Jackson Ragen, Alex Roldan, Travian Sousa, Nouhou Tolo
Midfielders: Reed Baker-Whiting, Danny Leyva, Joao Paulo, Cristian Roldan, Albert Rusnak, Obed Vargas
Forwards: Pedro de la Vega, Osaze de Rosario, Jesus Ferreira, Ryan Kent, Georgi Minoungou, Jordan Morris, Danny Musovski, Paul Rothrock
Botafogo vs. Seattle Sounders score prediction
Botafogo are currently eighth in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A. Although that’s only six points shy of leaders Flamengo, it demonstrates a team coming off their curve following a magnificent 2024. Nevertheless, they are formidable frontrunners, unbeaten in the past 29 matches when they have scored first, winning 27. Fogo’s big-tournament know-how should see them through a potential early storm at a fired-up Lumen Field and through to victory.
Prediction: Botafogo 2-0 Seattle Sounders
Botafogo vs. Seattle Sounders live stream, TV channel
All matches across the entirety of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be streamed for free on DAZN across the globe. In addition, some matches may be televised in certain regions as per DAZN’s deals with local networks and services.
Here’s how to watch this 2025 Club World Cup group stage match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Date | Time | TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Sun, Jun. 15 | 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT | TBS, truTV, TUDN, UniMas | DAZN, Sling, Fubo USA, TUDN app, Univision NOW |
| Canada | Sun, Jun. 15 | 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT | — | DAZN |
| UK | Mon 16, Jun. 15 | 3 a.m. BST | — | DAZN |
| Australia | Mon, Jun. 16 | 1 p.m. AEST | — | DAZN, Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now |
| India | Mon, Jun. 16 | 7:30 a.m. IST | — | DAZN, tabii |
