Al Hilal will aim to secure a first victory o their FIFA Club World Cup Group H campaign when they face off against Pachuca at Geodis Park in Nashville on Friday, June 27, at 02:00 GMT.
Al Hilal, the Saudi Pro League runners-up, are coming off a mixed run in their domestic season, while Pachuca were the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup winners, as reported on our football facts page. However, Al Hilal has yet to lose a game, having drawn their games against RB Salzburg and Real Madrid. In comparison, Pachuca lost both of their games against the Austrian and Spanish teams.
Match Preview
Al Hilal, who qualified for the tournament as the 2021 AFC Champions League winners, have shown flashes of brilliance but struggled for consistency in recent matches. Their 5-3 loss to Real Madrid in the 2022 Club World Cup final highlighted their attacking potential but also exposed defensive vulnerabilities. The Saudi side has conceded 13 goals in their last eight competitive matches, although they have kept two clean sheets in that span.
Under new manager Simone Inzaghi, Al Hilal are ranked 76th in the Opta Power Rankings, comparable to mid-tier European sides like Torino or Rayo Vallecano. Their recent form includes a 2-0 victory over Al Quadisiya in the Saudi Pro League, but they surrendered the league title to Al Ittihad this season. Against Pachuca, Al Hilal hold a slight historical edge, having drawn 0-0 before winning 6-5 on penalties in the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup play-off round.
Pachuca, meanwhile, have had an up-and-down season. Their sensational 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup run saw them dispatch Philadelphia Union (6-0), Herediano (7-1), Club America (3-2), and Columbus Crew (3-0) to secure their Club World Cup berth. However, their Liga MX Clausura campaign ended in disappointment, finishing eighth and exiting in the quarter-finals.
Led by new head coach Jaime Lozano, who took charge just weeks ago, Pachuca are banking on a “new-manager bounce” to finish Group H on a positive note. The Mexican side has been poor in defence, having been breached in five of their last six games. Their 3-0 loss to Real Madrid in the 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final showed resilience, with 19-year-old midfielder Erick Montiel earning plaudits as the competition’s third-best player.
Al Hilal FIFA Club World Cup form:
- Real Madrid: 1-1 (D) 18/06/2025
- RB Salzburg: 0-0 (D) 22/06/2025
Al Hilal form (all competitions):
• W (H) 2-0 against Al-Qadsiah (Saudi Pro League) 26/05/25
• D (A) 1-1 against Al-Wehda (Saudi Pro League) 21/05/25
• W (A) 4-3 against Al-Fateh (Saudi Pro League) 16/05/25
• W (H) 4-0 against Al-Orobah (Saudi Pro League) 12/05/25
• W (A) 5-3 against Al-Raed (Saudi Pro League) 07/05/25
Pachuca FIFA Club World Cup form:
- RB Salzburg: 1-2 (L) 18/06/2025
- Real Madrid: 1-3 (L) 22/06/2025
Pachuca form (all competitions):
• L (A) 2-0 against Club America (Liguilla Clausura) 11/05/25
• D (H) 0-0 against Club America (Liguilla Clausura) 08/05/25
• W (A) 2-1 against Monterrey (Liguilla Clausura) 28/04/25
• L (A) 2-1 against San Luis (Liga MX) 21/04/25
• D (H) 0-0 against Tigres UANL (Liga MX) 16/04/25
Team News
Al Hilal could field a strong line-up featuring goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, defenders Kalidou Koulibaly and Hassan Tambakti, and midfielders Rúben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Up top, Marcis Leonardo is likely to lead the line, supported by Malcom and Salem Al Dawsari. Renan Lodi is likely to feature. Inzaghi may opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation to balance defensive solidity with attacking flair.
Pachuca’s attack will likely revolve around veteran striker Salomón Rondón, who has been their biggest goal threat this season. Youngster Erick Montiel is expected to anchor the midfield alongside Agustin Palavecino, while Kenedy could provide width. Defenders Eduardo Bauermann and Federico Pereira may form the centre-back pairing, with new manager Lozano potentially deploying a 4-3-3 to maximise attacking output.
Al Hilal possible starting lineup:
Bounou; Cancelo, Koulibaly, Tambakti, Lodi; Neves, N. Al-Dawsari; Malcom, Milinkovic-Savic, S. Al Dawsari; Leonardo
Pachuca possible starting lineup:
Moreno; Gonzalez, Bauermann, Pereira, L. Rodríguez; Montiel, Palavecino; Kenedy, Bautista, Dominguez; Rondón
We say: Al Hilal 2-1 Pachuca
Al Hilal’s star-studded squad and experience in high-stakes matches give them a slight edge, but Pachuca’s attacking prowess and recent Concacaf success make them a dangerous underdog. Expect a tight contest, with Al Hilal’s firepower just enough to secure a narrow victory.
