SE Palmeiras will aim to strengthen their position in Group A of the FIFA Club World Cup when they face Al Ahly at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at
Both Palmeiras and Al Ahly have come off their opening group matches with a 0-0 draw against their opponents, FC Porto and Inter Milan, respectively. Both teams are vying for a top-two spot in Group A to advance to the knockout stages.
Match Preview
Palmeiras, winners of the 2021 Copa Libertadores, entered the tournament with high expectations but faced a challenging FC Porto side in their opener. The Brazilian giants are known for their robust attacking play, having scored 12 goals in their last five domestic matches before the tournament. However, their defence has been less convincing, conceding in three of those games.
Head coach Abel Ferreira will be wary of Al Ahly’s counter-attacking prowess, a style that has historically troubled Palmeiras. The Verdão have struggled against teams with compact defences and quick transitions, a trait Al Ahly has mastered. In their last five competitive matches, Palmeiras won two, drew one, and lost two, highlighting their inconsistency.
Al Ahly, Egypt’s footballing powerhouse, secured their spot in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup via their 2020-21 CAF Champions League triumph. Despite a recent setback in the 2024-25 CAF Champions League semifinals against Mamelodi Sundowns, the Red Devils are on a six-game unbeaten streak across all competitions. They’ve been clinical in attack, netting 13 goals in their last five matches, while maintaining a solid defensive record with three clean sheets in the stellar run.
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Under Spanish manager José Riveiro, Al Ahly have shown tactical discipline, often relying on their speed in transitions. The Cairo-based side has a strong record in global competitions, reaching the Club World Cup semifinals in 2021. However, they’ve lost both prior encounters with Palmeiras in the tournament’s older format, including a 2-0 defeat in 2021.
Palmeiras have the edge in head-to-head clashes, winning both previous meetings, but Al Ahly’s current form suggests they could pose a significant threat. The Egyptian side’s ability to frustrate opponents with low defensive lines could make this a tight contest.
Palmeiras FIFA Club World Cup Form:
Palmeiras Form (All Competitions):
Al Ahly FIFA Club World Cup Form:
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Team News
Palmeiras
Palmeiras’ young star Estevão Willian could be one of their biggest attacking threats, with the 18-year-old tipped as a potential game-changer. Anibal Moreno could anchor the midfield alongside Ricard Rios. Gustavo Gómez, Agustin Giay and Murilo are expected to form a centre-back trio, with Micael as a possible substitute if Ferreira opts for rotation. Goalkeeper Weverton, a mainstay, should start. The squad has no major injury concerns, but Ferreira may adjust his lineup based on the FC Porto result.
Possible Starting Lineup:
Weverton; Giay, Gómez, Murilo; Piquerez, Rios, Moreno, Felipe Anderson; Estevão, Maurico; Vitor Roque
Al Ahly
Al Ahly’s lineup is likely to feature key players like forward Trézéguet, recently signed to bolster their attack, and midfielder Emam Ashour. Defender Achraf Dari is expected to start, potentially alongside Yasser Ibrahim. Goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy remains a reliable presence. With no significant injuries reported, Riveiro may stick with a compact 4-3-1-2 to counter Palmeiras’ attacking threat.
Possible Starting Lineup:
El Shenawy; Ahmed Kouka, Dari, Ibrahim, Hany; Fathy, Ateya, Ben Romdhane; Ashour; Abou Ali, Trézéguet
We Say: Palmeiras 2-1 Al Ahly
Palmeiras’ attacking depth and experience in high-stakes matches give them a slight edge, but Al Ahly’s disciplined defence and counter-attacking threat will make this a close affair. The Brazilian side’s home-continent advantage (despite playing in the U.S.) and historical dominance over Al Ahly could see them secure a narrow victory. Expect a competitive match with both teams finding the net.
