🌎 The Club World Cup guide to...Botafogo
Our guide to all 32 clubs participating at the FIFA Club World Cup continues.
You can check out the full list so far here.
Today we're looking at...Botafogo.
How did they qualify for the Club World Cup?
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Botafogo are more than worthy of their place at the tournament, having qualified by winning the 2024 Copa Libertadores, where they overcame fellow Brazilian side Atlético Mineiro 3-1 in the final last November.
History at the Club World Cup
That Libertadores triumph was a historic first for Fogo, meaning they have never participated at the Club World Cup before.
Back in 1968, they did however represent South America in the Intercontinental Cup, which also took place in the United States and saw them beaten by North American outfit Akron Wingfoots.
How did they perform in the 2024/25 season?
At the time of writing, Botafogo have been struggling domestically and currently sit in 11th place in Serie A. On the continental stage however, things have been a little better with a place in the Copa Libertadoes knockout rounds assured.
Who is the coach?
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Portuguese coach Renato Paiva took charge of Botafogo ahead of the beginning of the current season, following the departure of fellow countryman Artur Jorge.
Paiva had previously coached clubs in Portugal, Ecuador, Mexico and Brazil (where he won the State Championship with Bahia) and has built a reputation for modern, possession-based tactics across diverse footballing cultures.
Who is their star player?
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Igor Jesus has been a revelation for Botafogo since moving from Dubai side Shabab Al Ahli in the summer of 2024.
The striker netted 25 goals for the club last term, and earned himself four caps for the senior Brazil national team, for whom he scored on his debut against Chile in October 2024.
Expected performance at the Club World Cup
Brazilian clubs have always taken the Club World Cup very seriously indeed, and Botafogo will head to the United States determined to compete for the trophy.
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But their group - which also features Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético de Madrid and Seattle Sounders - is probably the tournament's Group of Death, and they will do well to even get as far as the knockout stages.
If they do manage that, nobody will be looking forward to facing them.
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