Club World Cup: Debunking the Myth of European Soccer’s Superiority?

Miami Gardens, Fla. – The overwhelming influence of European football has clearly emerged in the 21st century, showcasing an undeniable dominance. This trend is reflected in player salaries, the migration of talent from the Americas and Africa, the prestige of the UEFA Champions League, and the performance of European teams in global tournaments. Since 2007, in the previous iteration of the Club World Cup, European clubs have participated in 34 matches, losing only once.

As they prepare for the expanded 2025 Club World Cup, many expected European teams to perform seamlessly and advance easily.

However, during the group stages, these expectations were challenged.

In six encounters against South American teams, European clubs managed only one win, along with two losses and three draws, with Bayern Munich being the only team to secure victory recently.

They also dropped points to teams from the Saudi Arabian Pro League, MLS, and La Liga MX.

This unexpected performance has delighted fans from other regions, shocked Western analysts, and ignited a crucial discussion: Is the supposed advantage of European clubs overstated?

“They Are Strong Teams, Too.”

Consider the results and recent match performances. Flamengo not only defeated Chelsea 3-1 but also managed to hold off the financially robust English Premier League giants. Similarly, Fulminence, Brazil’s 13th-place team from last year, earned a 0-0 draw against Borussia Dortmund, a team that was recently at the top of the Bundesliga.

In nearly every matchup between South American and European clubs, evidence suggests the gap may be smaller than commonly believed. Botafogo’s shocking win against PSG displayed the quality required for success, as did Boca Juniors’ response in their game against Bayern Munich, where they equalized before eventually losing, prompting Harry Kane to acknowledge their resilience.

Other matches also highlighted this trend, with Monterrey drawing against Inter Milan and Al Giral holding Real Madrid to a tie in what was described as a “very balanced match.” On paper according to Opta, these games involved teams ranked as the 9th and 81st in the world. Yet, on the field, they told a different story and raised the question: Is Opta’s assessment misleading?

Is the common belief in European superiority misguided?

Or are our perceptions simply flawed?

Historically, South American clubs dominated the Intercontinental Cup from 1960 to 2004, winning 22 out of 40 meetings, while European teams claimed 21 titles. Although commercialization may have shifted the balance of power, the gap on the pitch has always been narrower than expected.

This year’s remodeled Club World Cup appears to provide a more accurate reflection of competitive levels. “South American teams have posed significant challenges to several European clubs,” remarked Kane, while teammate Conrad Reimer noted, “They’re also a solid team. Soccer is soccer.”

European Justifications

Conversely, there’s a narrative of excuses—justifiable or not.

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This tournament takes place at a challenging time, as it falls at the end of a grueling 10-month European season but coincides with the busy competitions in Brazil, Argentina, and MLS. While South American teams have prepared specifically for the Club World Cup, many European players were on vacation or in recovery before the tournament. Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez correctly predicted potential surprises due to this fatigue.

The intense summer heat in the U.S. also posed a challenge. Al Giral’s Brazilian winger, Malcolm, mentioned their adaptation to the heat, in contrast to Atletico Madrid’s Marcos Lorente, who described the Californian temperatures as “impossible.”

Travel challenges and adjustments to different time zones can add to the difficulties for European clubs, making the Club World Cup a less reliable comparison point.

Furthermore, there’s a perception that European clubs may not prioritize this tournament. Some players certainly care, but do they match the passionate dedication of their South American counterparts?

For South American teams, these matches are significant milestones in their club’s history, while European teams often view the Champions League and their domestic leagues as the pinnacle.

Fan enthusiasm also plays a role. While European followers may stay home, South American fans fill stadiums with energy, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

According to Bayern head coach Vincent Company, their matches feel markedly different due to the crowd’s involvement, while Kane confirmed, “It felt like an away game.”

Such factors help level the playing field.

Conclusion

While these various arguments don’t fully account for the discrepancies, they do point to a noteworthy conclusion: the perceived gap between European teams and the rest of the world may not be as wide as believed. There are distinctions within both European and other global tiers.

For instance, there’s a substantial gap between elite teams like Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors, as well as between clubs like Porto and Braga in Portugal. However, the distance between Porto and Inter Miami, or Dortmund and Fulminence may have been overestimated, just as it has been for Benfica and Boca Juniors.

The quality of many Brazilian teams could hold their own against reputable European clubs, and they possess enough resources and talent to compete effectively.

Nonetheless, the divide at the very top remains evident.

“There’s an elite in quality football,” acknowledged Flamengo coach Filipe Lewis, who has played for prominent clubs in Europe. “Brazilian teams are competitive at Europe’s second level, but the elite clubs excel.”

However, what may be underestimated is the determination and strategic play that can bridge the gap for fleeting moments in matches. As Laimer suggested regarding Boca Juniors, a lower-budget team can challenge a higher-stakes team through sheer unity and fervor.

South American clubs have shown that they can confront—and sometimes triumph over—European opponents, leading to bewilderment among spectators. They may not consistently prove to be superior, but they can perform exceptionally well on any given day.

“They compete at a high level,” Kane noted. “They might use different styles; they create a more challenging environment and pose tactical hurdles.”