Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea are poised to meet in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, part of FIFA’s newly expanded 32-team tournament, culminating on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (New York metro area)
PSG: From Champions League Glory to Global Showdown
- Formidable run: PSG have won seven of eight matches, without conceding a goal in the knockout stages—a defensive record underlining their dominance.
- Semi-final masterpiece: They crushed Real Madrid 4–0, scoring twice in first nine minutes, featuring goals from Fabián Ruiz and Dembélé, capping off a comprehensive display.
- Championship pedigree: Fresh off their first-ever Champions League title, PSG are chasing their first world club crown. Manager Luis Enrique remains undefeated in one-off finals—11 wins from 11.
- Key performers: Vitinha has pulled the strings in midfield; fullbacks Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi bring speed and width; Ousmane Dembélé is PSG’s attacking spark underlining their youthful resilience.
Chelsea: Redemption on the Big Stage
- Steady progression: Chelsea entered the tournament via the UEFA Conference League, overcoming a rocky domestic season to finish in the top four of the Premier League.
- Road to the final: After beating Benfica in the Round of 16, they edged Palmeiras in the quarters and then secured a 2–0 semi-final win over Fluminense, powered by a Joao Pedro brace—notably against his boyhood club.
- Elevated squad depth: New signing João Pedro has already made an impact. Midfielders Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia, and Moises Caicedo provide steel and balance in the engine room.
- Legacy on offer: Chelsea aim to become the first English club to win two Club World Cups, having won previously in 2021.
Suspensions Could Tilt the Balance
PSG will be without key defenders Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez, both suspended due to red card incidents—absences that could prove pivotal in the final showdown.
Match Conditions & March to Glory
- Venue & kickoff: Final kicks off at 3:00 PM ET (midday local time labelled in media as “midday”) on Sunday, July 13 at MetLife Stadium, which also hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
- Tournament critique: The revamped format, while rich in spectacle, has drawn concern over crowded schedules and harsh heat, especially in venues like Orlando. FIFA has introduced cooling breaks and other measures to manage conditions.
Predictions & Stakes
- Tactical contrast: PSG’s high-press and vertical football—reflecting their Champions League success under Luis Enrique—stands sharp against Chelsea’s pragmatic and resilient setup under Enzo Maresca.
- Expectations: Betting odds and analytics favor PSG as clear favourites to lift the trophy for the first time, with a supercomputer prediction giving them approximately a 64% chance to win .
- Financial windfall: The champion stands to earn around $40 million, part of a broader prize fund that could push total earnings for finalists beyond $125 million.
In Summary
PSG aims to crown a terrific season—including Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and Champions League triumphs—with a Club World Cup victory in their first final appearance. Chelsea, meanwhile, seek redemption after underperforming domestically—looking to build momentum under Maresca and historic precedent as the first English club to record two wins.
It’s a clash of styles, generational squad shifts, and enormous stakes—on the biggest stage in club football.
