🌎 The Club World Cup guide to...Pachuca
Our guide to all 32 clubs participating at the FIFA Club World Cup continues.
Today we're looking at....Pachuca.
How did they qualify for the Club World Cup?
📸 Hector Vivas - 2024 Getty Images
Pachuca secured their spot at the tournament by beating Columbus Crew 3-0 in the final of the Concacaf Champions Cup.
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Veteran striker Salomón Rondón grabbed two goals, with Miguel Rodriguez also netting, as the Mexican giants picked up a sixth continental title.
History at the Club World Cup
The Liga MX side will be making their fifth appearance at the competition, having also participated in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2017.
Their best showing came last time around as they claimed third place behind finalists Grêmio, whom they lost to in the semi-final, and winners Real Madrid. Al Jazira were easily seen off 4-1 in the third-place play-off as Pachuca made their mark on the world stage.
How did they perform in the 2024/25 season?
It's been a disappointing campaign for Pachuca, with elimination from the quarter finals of the Liga MX Clausura knockout stages.
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They fell to Club América 2-0 on aggregate, which was not too surprising given they scraped into the playoffs via the play-in phase having finished 8th in the Apertura league phase.
Who is the coach?
📸 Agustin Cuevas - 2025 Getty Images
Guillermo Almada is the club's current Head Coach, having made the switch from fellow Mexican outfit Santos Laguna in December 2021.
The Uruguayan has been in charge for over 150 games, and has won both the 2022/23 Liga MX title and the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Who is their star player?
📸 JULIO CESAR AGUILAR - AFP or licensors
The MVP and top scorer of the Champions Cup-winning side, Salomón Rondón has been the go-to guy for Pachuca since his arrival in 2024. The Venezuelan national team captain has 31 goals in 59 appearances for the club.
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Other standout performers for the Liga MX side are Moroccan winger Oussama Idrissi, who leads the sides in assists this season, and Brazilian striker Kennedy, who has become a valuable source of goals.
Expected performance at the Club World Cup
Despite their wayward domestic form, the Mexicans will fancy their chances of making a run in the tournament.
Real Madrid are the overwhelming favourites to top Group H, and second place will be fought out between Pachuca, Al Hilal and RB Salzburg.
📸 Leopoldo Smith - 2025 Getty Images
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James Martin/CNET ExpressVPN Best VPN for streaming Price $13 per month, $100 for the first 15 months (then $117 per year) or $140 for the first 28 months (then $150 per year) Latest Tests No DNS leaks detected, 18% speed loss in 2025 tests Network 3,000 plus servers in 105 countries Jurisdiction British Virgin Islands ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN that works on a variety of devices. It's normally $13 a month, but if you sign up for an annual subscription for $100, you'll get three months free and save 49%. That's the equivalent of $6.67 a month. Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. 61% off with 2yr plan (+4 free months) See at Livestream Real Madrid vs. Al Hilal free in the UK As well as DAZN, footy fans in the UK have a second option for watching FIFA Club World Cup matches that is also free. 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