River Plate are the most successful team in Argentinian football, having won their domestic championship 38 times, and are heading into the Club World Cup with higher expectations than Urawa Red Diamonds, who are their first opponents in Group E.
It's always a challenge for South American teams to compete against the top European clubs, as they often find it tough to retain their top players.
River Plate are getting ready to bid farewell to their highly talented 17-year-old forward Franco Mastantuono, who is set to move to Real Madrid in the summer.
Despite this, River Plate have a stronger international track record than Urawa Red Diamonds, who qualified through their success in the 2022 AFC Champions League.
Team news
River Plate have included Mastantuono in their squad, who will play a few more games before joining Real Madrid in August.
Mastantuono recently made his senior debut for Argentina, becoming the youngest player to do so in the country's history.
There's a doubt over experienced defender Gonzalez Perez for River Plate due to a muscle strain.
Urawa Red Diamonds have no new injury concerns and have midfielder Kai Shibato back from a knee injury.
The stats
River Plate have won five of their last seven matches.
They have scored in their last 10 games.
Urawa Red Diamonds have only won two of their last seven matches.
In five of the last six matches involving Urawa Red Diamonds, both teams have scored.
Prediction
River Plate progressed to the round of 16 of the 2025 Copa Libertadores and are aiming to make a strong start in the Club World Cup against Urawa Red Diamonds at Lumen Field, Seattle.
It's frustrating for River to have to sell some of their top talent.
However, their squad is still strong and bolstered by defenders Marcos Acuna, German Pezzella, and Gonzalo Montiel, who have significant international experience, including winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina.
River Plate should be solid defensively and carry an attacking threat with the talented Mastantuono and in-form striker Sebastian Driussi, who has scored six goals in his last nine games.
While River Plate could make it to the knockout stages and pose a challenge to European powerhouses, Urawa Red Diamonds are likely to exit in the group stage.
Sitting fourth in the J-League, seven points behind the leaders Kashima Antlers, Urawa might struggle to secure wins in the tournament.