Grand Finale: European Giants Chelsea and PSG Clash for Inaugural Club World Cup Title

The eagerly awaited moment is here! Two giants of European football will face off today at MetLife Stadium, with Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain competing for the title of the first-ever FIFA Club World Cup champions. This final is set to deliver an exhilarating display, starting at 3:00 PM local time (8:00 PM in London, 9:00 PM in Paris).

Both finalists faced unexpected setbacks in the group stage, with Chelsea losing to the Brazilian team Flamengo and PSG being defeated by Botafogo. However, they have been dominant since then. Enzo Maresca's Chelsea advanced to the championship match with a remarkable performance by new signing João Pedro, who scored two brilliant goals against his former club Fluminense FC, securing a 2-0 victory in the semi-final. PSG, potentially even more impressive, delivered a stunning 4-0 victory over Real Madrid C.F. in their semi-final. Nonetheless, the French champions will enter the final with one less day of rest, having played their semi-final on Wednesday.

Team Dynamics and Key Returns

Chelsea is set to have central defender Levi Colwill back from a suspension that sidelined him for the semi-final. He is anticipated to strengthen the defense, likely teaming up with Trevoh Chalobah. Liam Delap also returns from suspension, but with João Pedro making an immediate impact in the attack, Delap might begin on the bench. In other defensive updates, Reece James is eager to rejoin the starting XI after appearing as a substitute against Fluminense, while Moises Caicedo faces uncertainty for the final due to a late ankle injury sustained in the same match.

For Paris Saint-Germain, manager Luis Enrique will once again be without the suspended defensive duo of Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernández. This means Lucas Beraldo is set to continue his partnership with captain Marquinhos at the heart of PSG's defense. The consistent midfield trio of Vitinha, João Neves, and Fabian Ruiz, along with forwards Desire Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, are all likely to retain their starting spots, having featured in all four of PSG's previous tournament matches. After an hour-long starting return against Real Madrid, Ousmane Dembélé is expected to lead the line for what appears to be a well-settled PSG squad.

Projected Lineups

• Chelsea FC (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez, Nkunku; Palmer, Neto, Joao Pedro.

• Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.

Voices from the Dugout

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca shared his pride in the team's journey: "It is a great achievement. It has been a fantastic season - top four in the Premier League, Conference League, and now in the final of this competition. We are so, so happy. We go game by game. Finally, we have the last game of the season, and hopefully, we can win the tournament."

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique emphasized the historical significance for his club: "We are in a special season, a special moment, and we have one more step against a very good team like Chelsea. Now it’s time to prepare. We want to make history for our club."

Form & Facts: A Look at the Numbers

Both finalists have impressive recent records. Chelsea has been in outstanding form, achieving 13 wins in their last 15 matches across all competitions. Notably, 27 different players have appeared for Chelsea in this tournament, highlighting their squad depth. PSG is just as strong, with victories in ten of their last eleven matches and clean sheets in seven of their last eight competitive games. The French champions have also shown a powerful attack, scoring three or more goals in six of their last eight matches.

Three Decisive Duels to Watch

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final will be a showcase of individual brilliance. As these English Premier League giants clash with the reigning European champions, several individual battles across the pitch could prove to be the turning points at MetLife Stadium.

Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea) vs. Ousmane Dembélé (PSG): Centre-back Trevoh Chalobah has emerged as a linchpin for Chelsea this year, building on a successful loan spell. He has been a formidable presence at the Club World Cup, notably shutting down Fluminense's dynamic attack in the semi-final and completing 100% of his passes. On Sunday, he faces his sternest test in Ousmane Dembélé. Despite missing group stage matches due to injury, Dembélé has rapidly hit his stride, scoring in the quarter-final win over Bayern and tormenting Real Madrid's defense with his lightning-quick feet and intense pressing in the semi-final, marking his first start of the competition.

Enzo Fernández (Chelsea) vs. Vitinha (PSG): The midfields of Chelsea and PSG boast truly world-class talents. Enzo Fernández's relentless energy and competitive spirit often dictate his team's pace. In contrast, Vitinha impacts the game with his sharp, precise passing, enabling PSG to dominate possession. His outstanding work rate is clear, having covered more ground (69.4 km) than any other player in the tournament, along with smart positioning that disrupts opposing attacks. Both players have shown a talent for pivotal moments in the final third, each scoring once, with Vitinha providing two assists and Fernández leading the competition with three.

João Pedro (Chelsea) vs. Marquinhos (PSG): João Pedro has made an impressive start after his recent transfer to Chelsea. In his debut start for the Blues against Fluminense in the semi-final, he delivered an outstanding performance, scoring two remarkable goals. The Brazilian forward is a defender's nightmare, combining skill, speed, sharp finishing, and elusive movement. On Sunday, he'll face a fellow countryman and one of the world's top defenders: Marquinhos. As PSG's all-time record appearance holder, Marquinhos is a sophisticated, ball-playing center-back whose inspiring leadership has been crucial to PSG's modern achievements. If he can neutralize Chelsea's in-form new forward, it could greatly enhance PSG's chances of achieving global success.

The Venue: MetLife Stadium

Today's historic final is being held at MetLife Stadium, a multi-purpose venue that serves as the home field for the NFL's New York Giants and New York Jets. Renowned for hosting the 2016 Copa América Centenario final, this iconic stadium has also been the stage for numerous top-tier performers. Its reputation as a global football center will be solidified further when it hosts the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final, in addition to two other knockout matches and five group-stage games.