HOOLIGAN SOCCER

Urawa Red Diamonds Club World Cup Group E

Club World Cup Preview: Urawa Red Diamonds

Above: Team picture from the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.

The Qooligan

The twentieth in our continuing series highlighting all thirty-two clubs in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. The event starts on Saturday, June 14th.

Club Background

  • From: Saitama, Japan
  • How They Qualified:
    • They won the AFC (Asia) Champions League in 2022.
  • Best CWC Finish:
    • This will be their 4th appearance in the tournament.
    • In 2007 they finished third; finished fourth in 2023.
  • Recent Form:
    • Their recent success in the AFC Champions League is not reflected in their league form
      • Last year they finished 13th (of 20) in the J1 League.
      • They have not won a Japan league title since 2006.
      • Currently in third place.
  • Facts: 
    • The “Red Diamonds” refers to the club’s ownership by the Mitsubishi Corporation, whose logo had three diamonds. A single red diamond is still prominent on the crest.
    • They were the first team to win the Japanese domestic treble (league, Emperor’s Cup and League Cup) in 1978.
    • In 1989-1990 they spent two years in the Japanese 2nd tier.
    • 82% of the players are Japanese. Remaining countries: BRA (3), SWE, NOR, POR

The Team

  • Manager: Maciej Skorża
    • Coached the side in 2023, then returned in Sept. 2024.
  • Star Players:
    • Shinzo Koroki
      • Striker. A veteran goal-scorer who’s more of a legend as his form has dipped.
    • Ryoma Watanabe
      • Box-to-box midfielder, 6g/1a.
    • Thiago Santana
      • Brazilian striker. Has played limited time compared to last year, with 3 goals in 11 matches).
    • Matheus Sávio
      • Brazilian left winger, 2g/4a in 21 matches. Signed back in January.
    • Danilo Boza
      • Brazilian defender who’s started and played every minute this season.
  • Young Players:
    • The club lists a handful of young players (<24) but none of them have yet to touch the pitch.
  • Training Sites:
    • University of Portland, Portland, Oregon

When to Watch

  • 3:00pm ET on Jun 17, 2025 vs. River Plate @ Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
  • 3:00pm ET on Jun 21, 2025 vs. Inter Milan @ Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
  • 9:00pm ET on Jun 25, 2025 vs. CF Monterrey @ Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

The Hooligan Take

Advancing out of the group phase would be a major coup for the Reds. They’re a solid, if unspectacular, team that will give you a good, competitive game for ninety minutes. Snooze on them and they could make you pay, particularly with their treble of Brazilians who form the team’s spine.

Other Group E Teams

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