HOOLIGAN SOCCER

Club World Cup Boca Juniors Group C

Club World Cup Preview: Boca Juniors

Above: Boca Juniors pose for a team picture earlier this year.

Gary Striker

The eleventh in our continuing series highlighting all thirty-two clubs in the FIFA Club World Cup, which starts on June 14th. Given his support of this team, Gary Striker has the write-up.

Club Background

  • From: Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • How They Qualified:
    • Via the CONMEBOL ranking pathway based on Copa Libertadores performances over four seasons.
  • Best CWC Finish:
    • This is their second appearance.
    • They were runners up back in 2007.
  • Recent Form:
    • Currently in 3rd place in the 2025 league season. 
    • Suffered a shock elimination in the second stage of the Copa Libertadores, losing to Alianza Lima 5 – 4 in penalties after a 2 – 2 aggregate.
    • Still active in all other domestic tourneys.
  • Facts: 
    • 80% Argentinian. 1 Spaniard; 6 other South Americans.
    • Most successful Argentinian club in terms of domestic and international trophies.
    • They have never been relegated out of the top division in 111 years.

The Team

  • Manager: Miguel Ángel Russo
    • The team has had seven managers since 2023.
      • One assistant coach, Mariano Herrón, has acted as caretaker manager between four of these coaching transitions.
    • Russo previously coached Boca in 2007 and 2020-2021, and has managed sixteen different clubs since 1989.
  • Star Players:
    • Edinson Cavani
      • The veteran Uruguayan striker has had an injury plagued season and only played 12 games, scoring 2 goals and with 2 assists.
    • Marcos Rojo
      • The former Manchester United center back anchors the defensive spine.
  • Young Players:
    • Boca Juniors is an old team. Their usual starting line-up averages 29.7 years old.
    • There are five rostered players 21 years or younger, but none of them have amassed any significant playing time. 

When to Watch

  • 6:00pm ET on Jun 16, 2025 vs. SL Benfica @ Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL
  • 9:00pm ET on Jun 20, 2025 vs. Bayern Munich @ Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, FL
  • 3:00pm ET on Jun 24, 2025 vs. Auckland City FC @ GEODIS Park, Nashville, TN  

The Hooligan Take

Outside of advancing into the knockout rounds, Boca Junior fans will be hoping for a match against their hated rivals River Plate. With Auckland City looking to be an easy win, the opening match against SL Benfica is the one that could determine who goes on through. A tie would be devastating.

Other Group C Teams

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