Millions at stake as Flamengo rotate for World Cup dead rubber | OneFootball

Flamengo head into their final Club World Cup group match against Los Angeles FC already assured of top spot in Group D and a place in the knockout rounds. With wins over Espérance and Chelsea, Filipe Luís’ side are clear at the summit, while LAFC have no hope of progressing after suffering back-to-back defeats in their first two games.

The fixture takes place at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium on Tuesday night. While Flamengo are mathematically secure, there’s a significant financial incentive to push for a win—the club stands to earn around R$11 million for victory.

Filipe Luís has confirmed that he will rotate his squad for this dead rubber, offering rest to key players and minutes to fringe members. “If I can, I’ll give minutes to everyone so they can participate in the Club World Cup,” the coach said, highlighting his intention to keep the squad fresh ahead of the knockout stage.

In terms of team news, Flamengo’s midfield is missing De La Cruz due to a knee injury. The club must also be mindful of yellow cards, with Pulgar, Gerson, Bruno Henrique, and Plata all at risk of suspension for the rounds ahead. The likely starting eleven features Rossi in goal, a backline including Varela, Danilo (or João Victor), Léo Ortiz, and Alex Sandro; Evertton Araújo, Allan, and Luiz Araújo (or Wallace Yan) in midfield; and attacking options Michael, Cebolinha, and Pedro.

LAFC, under Steve Cherundolo, bring a largely unchanged squad, though there are selection questions up front between Martínez or Ordaz, and whether Giroud will retain his starting spot ahead of Ebobisse. For the American club, this is a final chance to salvage pride after losses to Chelsea (2-0) and Espérance (1-0).

Beyond the pitch, this match throws a spotlight on two clubs with contrasting models. Flamengo’s squad is valued by Transfermarkt at €221.35 million (around R$1.4 billion)—nearly five times that of LAFC’s €46 million (R$289 million). Flamengo also reported higher annual revenue and profits. However, thanks to franchise scarcity and a closed league structure, Forbes values LAFC at US$1.25 billion, outstripping Flamengo’s estimated US$900 million.

Flamengo’s ability to rotate after sealing qualification underlines their quality and organizational strength. The structure of the Club World Cup, the financial contrasts with North American clubs, and the composure the team has shown thus far all serve as reminders of the evolving pecking order between South American and MLS teams. With the knockout phase ahead, Filipe Luís' focus will be on fine-tuning Flamengo’s squad while avoiding unnecessary risks.

Source: Globo, Lance, Gazeta Esportiva

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images