The stage is set for a thrilling encounter as Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) prepare to face each other in the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The match, scheduled for Sunday, July 13, will take place at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. With both teams chasing history, fans around the world are eagerly anticipating what promises to be a blockbuster clash.
For Chelsea, this final is an opportunity to become the first English club to win the Club World Cup twice. The Blues first lifted the trophy in 2021 when they defeated Palmeiras in the final. Now, under the leadership of new manager Enzo Maresca, they are aiming to add a second title and join an elite group of clubs who have won the tournament multiple times. That list includes Bayern Munich, Corinthians, Barcelona, and Real Madrid.
However, if Chelsea lose, they will become the first team in Club World Cup history to have lost two finals. The club previously fell short in 2012 when they lost to Corinthians. This adds even more pressure on the Blues to get the job done on Sunday.
On the other side, PSG are competing in their first-ever Club World Cup final. The French giants have never reached this stage before, and a win would mark a historic milestone for the club. Their current manager, Luis Enrique, has guided the team to a record-breaking season. Their semi-final victory over Real Madrid was their 48th win of the campaign, surpassing their previous record of 47 wins in the 2015-16 season under Laurent Blanc.
Chelsea booked their place in the final after a solid 2-0 victory over Brazilian side Fluminense in the semi-finals. New signing Joao Pedro was the star of the show, scoring both goals on his full debut for the club. His performance has now given manager Maresca a tough decision ahead of the final, especially with striker Liam Delap returning from suspension. Delap had been the main striker until he was suspended in the quarter-final, and it remains to be seen whether Maresca will stick with Pedro or restore Delap to the starting lineup.
Defender Levi Colwill is also back after serving a suspension and is expected to return to the heart of Chelsea’s defence. He could be partnered by Trevoh Chalobah or Tosin Adarabioyo, both of whom have been reliable during the tournament.
However, Chelsea have a few injury concerns. Moises Caicedo suffered an ankle injury late in the semi-final and is racing against time to be fit for Sunday’s match. Midfielder Romeo Lavia is also unavailable due to a muscle injury, while right-back Reece James made his return from injury as a substitute and could start the final, depending on his fitness level.
PSG, meanwhile, delivered a commanding performance in their semi-final, defeating European champions Real Madrid 3-0. Despite missing defenders Lucas Hernandez and Willian Pacho due to suspension, PSG’s depth in squad allowed them to dominate the game with ease.
Ousmane Dembélé, who has been working his way back to full fitness, may be in line for a starting spot in the final. If selected, Bradley Barcola is likely to drop to the bench. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué are expected to start alongside Dembélé in attack. PSG’s midfield trio of João Neves, Vitinha, and Fabián Ruiz will likely remain unchanged, while Achraf Hakimi and Marquinhos will marshal the defence. In goal, Gianluigi Donnarumma continues to impress and is widely considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
This final is more than just another football match. For Chelsea, it is about confirming their status as a global powerhouse and erasing the memory of past final heartbreak. For PSG, it’s a chance to make history by winning their first Club World Cup title and showing the world that they belong among the sport’s elite.
Both teams have shown different paths to the final—Chelsea have improved steadily with each game, while PSG have looked dominant from the start. Chelsea will need to be at their very best to compete against this strong and confident PSG side.
Chelsea and PSG haven’t met since 2016 in the UEFA Champions League. On that occasion, PSG won both legs 2-1 and eliminated Chelsea on away goals the previous season.
As both clubs step onto the pitch this Sunday, they won’t just be playing for a trophy—they’ll be competing for a place in football history.
