Brian Schmetzer reacts to Seattle Sounders being drawn into a group with Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid and Botafogo at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
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Seattle Sounders face Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid and Botafogo in Group B
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The Sounders plan to be active in the winter transfer window
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Coach Brian Schmetzer discusses the draw and the excitement the games will bring
The draw for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ is done and dusted, with the 32 teams learning their group-stage fate on Thursday in Miami. The global showpiece in the USA will feature two teams hailing from North America’s Major League Soccer (MLS), one of which is Seattle Sounders FC.
The Sounders have been drawn into a very competitive Group B, which also features European heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain of France and Atletico Madrid of Spain, along with newly-crowned CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo of Brazil.
It is a stern challenge for Seattle, but one that head coach Brian Schmetzer says they will relish, as it will give their fans the opportunity to see them match up with some of the world’s best.
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FIFA: What is your reaction to Seattle’s draw?
Brian Schmetzer: What do I think of the group? You mean the group of death? (laughs) I say that half kiddingly. Look, it’s an incredibly challenging group from a soccer perspective. But if I look at it from my lens as a soccer fan, a guy who grew up in Seattle, I think it’s unbelievable.
You’ve got the biggest club in France. You’ve got a Spanish team that is unbelievably talented, a legendary coach, and then the Copa Libertadores champion. And Joao Paulo, one of our players, actually played for Botafogo. So I mean, just three really fantastic clubs from a fan perspective.
Have you had an opportunity to watch much of PSG or Atletico this season? And did you watch Botafogo in the Copa Libertadores final?
Well, I watched a little bit of the Copa final, the early red card from a guy who played in MLS, Gregore. We actually were contemplating signing Gregore. But the goals Botafogo scored playing a man down, unbelievable. Look, I am busy, but I am a soccer fan, so I try and watch all the big games when Champions League comes around. I pay attention, but I’m not well versed. We haven’t studied them, so to speak.
Have you received any initial reaction from your players?
Andrew Thomas, our reserve goalkeeper, was there at the draw. He was awfully excited. He immediately went on his phone and checked the rosters, because PSG is probably going to add players. We didn’t know too much about the Botafogo [roster] or who exactly is on Atletico, so I know they’re looking at it. Some of the assistant coaches were in the office today, and we were talking about it. How are we going to play against PSG? How are we going to play against a pressing team like Atletico?
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Now knowing your group, how will Seattle approach its winter transfer market?
Well, that’ll put a little more pressure, certainly, on those choices. The club was already actively searching for new players, regardless of who we were playing in the group. We obviously want to do well in the Club World Cup. We want to put together a strong team, not only for the league season, but also looking ahead to the Club World Cup.
And what’s your message to the Sounders supporters now that the draw has happened and you know your opponents?
It’s three of the biggest clubs in their respected countries. For the soccer purists, the people that don’t maybe come to MLS, that watch European football, there’s no excuse. You’re going to come out and watch three different types of football, as well as our brand of soccer. It’s going to be every soccer fan’s dream to come and enjoy those 10 days of soccer.
Tickets
Fans wishing to keep up to date with the latest news and information regarding FIFA Club World Cup 2025 tickets can register at FIFA.com/tickets. More information about ticket and hospitality sales will be released in due course.
