Salzburg's path to the club World Cup: anticipation and a new goalkeeper in focus!

Salzburg's path to the club World Cup: anticipation and a new goalkeeper in focus!

Cincinnati, USA - The anticipation for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is growing: The Austrian representative Red Bull Salzburg has made its way to the USA, where the tournament will take place from June 15th to July 13, 2025. Coach Thomas Letsch was optimistic about the upcoming competition and emphasized that the anticipation for the tournament is increasing every day. The team has been in overseas since Friday and will fly from New Jersey to Ohio on Tuesday. Salzburg meets the Mexican Club Pachuca in the opening game, which won the Concacaf Champions League 2024, which makes the game particularly exciting. Krone reports that Pachuca is the oldest still existing football club Mexico and has won seven championship titles.

Alexander Schlager, the injured goalkeeper of Salzburg, is in the squad despite his wrist injury, but his commitment remains uncertain. In the event that Schlager cannot play, the two young goalkeepers Jonas Krumrey (21 years) and Christian Zawieschitzky (18 years) are ready. Another remarkable detail is that the full-back duo could consist of Stefan Lainer and Frans. "We have high goals for this tournament," said Krätzig, standing in the optimism in the team.

opponent and group placement

While the first game against Pachuca is imminent, Salzburg has also prepared for the subsequent opponent: Real Madrid and Al Hilal are also located in the group. The competition is strong and the analysis of the opponents will be of great importance for the team. In the run -up to the tournament, Pachuca already won in the test game against Al Ahl in penalty shootout, which underlines the high quality of the team.

The drawing of the groups took place on December 5, 2024, and the tournament will be held every four years, which increases the tension all the more. The participation of 32 teams from various continents shows the international relevance of the tournament. The best teams are divided into eight groups of four, with the two best teams of each group moving into the round of 16. Sky Sport explains that this format increases the attractiveness of the competition.

overview of the squad and personnel Situation

coach Thomas Letsch has nominated a 28-member squad that contains some new faces. In addition to the goalkeepers Krumrey, Zawieschitzky and the injured hit, newcomers such as Lainer, Krätzig, Jacob Rasmussen and Sota Kitano are also the contingent. However, there are also some remarkable absences: Amar Dedic is not in the squad, although he is officially again player from Salzburg again, and Hendry Blank, Bobby Clark, Nicolas Capaldo and Aleksa Terzic.

The tournament takes place at various venues in the USA, including the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, which offers space for 26,000 spectators. Bookmakers see Salzburg as a light favorite in the game against Pachuca. The first games of the club World Cup promise exciting encounters, and the fans can look forward to a great football festival.