Fluminense’s Colombian footballing star Jhon Arias called on Monday for all Latin American fans to support his side at the FIFA Club World Cup semifinals. The Brazilian team will match up against English Premier League giant Chelsea this Tuesday, looking for a place in the final.

In a video posted by Fluminense on their social media channels, Arias asked Latin American fans living in New York and surrounding areas to back the team at the MetLife Stadium. Fluminense is the only non-European team remaining in the CWC, with the other semifinal being played between France’s Paris Saint Germain and Spain’s Real Madrid.

“We’ll be facing Chelsea on Tuesday, representing our continent, our culture, our roots,” Arias said. “We’d love to have your support at the MetLife Stadium, we’re counting on you so we can together leave the name of our continent at the highest level.”

One of the most traditional sides in Brazilian football, Fluminense has become a flag bearer for Latin American football at the CWC, playing an exciting and less automatized brand of football that’s not often seen in Europe. The team boasts stars from across the South American continent, with the likes of Argentine striker Germán Cano, Uruguayan midfielder Facundo Bernal, and Venezuelan winger Yeferson Soteldo, among others.

“Chelsea is a great club,” Arias said in an interview ahead of the match. “They have great players and a solid game plan. We have our weapons as well, our tools to compete, as we’ve done against every side we’ve faced so far.”

Fluminense’s road to the semis

Fluminense’s spot in the semifinals of the CWC was far from guaranteed. After finishing second in Group F behind Germany’s Borussia Dortmund, they had to face one of the biggest candidates for the title in Italy’s Inter Milan. The side led by Argentine star Lautaro Martínez was fresh off an UEFA Champions League final appearance, but struggled to break down Fluminense, who beat them 2-0. 

In the quarters, the Brazilian side met with Saudi Arabian giant Al-Hilal, who features stars such as Morocco goalkeeper Bono, former Manchester City fullback Joao Cancelo and former Barcelona forward Malcom. Fluminense beat them in a tight 2-1 to secure their matchup against Chelsea.

It’s been a positive Club World Cup for South American sides. Despite the elimination of Argentine football giants Boca Juniors and River Plate in the group stage, teams from Brazil featuring several players from across the continent got big results. The 2024 Copa Libertadores winner Botafogo shocked the world by beating Champions League winners PSG, while Flamengo beat Chelsea 3-1.

Teams from other continents also put the heat on for European sides, with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami beating Portugal’s Porto and Al-Hilal pushing past Manchester City in the knockout stages. 

The outcome showed that there’s footballing talents across the globe, as the success of teams from outside Europe caught some fans, coaches and players by surprise.