European champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will face Chelsea FC in the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, bringing the curtain down on a highly competitive global tournament.
For PSG, the match presents an opportunity to cap off a historic season in which they clinched their first UEFA Champions League title and a domestic double. The French side are now eyeing their first Club World Cup trophy to complete the treble.
Chelsea, on the other hand, will be looking to seal a remarkable campaign under new head coach Enzo Maresca, having already secured a top-four finish in the Premier League and lifted the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Road to the Final
PSG cruised through the tournament with dominant wins:
- In the group stage, they defeated Atletico Madrid and Seattle Sounders, though they suffered a narrow defeat to Botafogo.
- In the knockouts, they saw off Inter Miami and Bayern Munich, before demolishing Real Madrid 4–0 in the semifinals.
- Goals in the semifinal came from Fabian Ruiz (2), Ousmane Dembele, and Goncalo Ramos.
Chelsea also enjoyed a strong run:
- After group stage wins over Los Angeles and ES Tunis and a loss to Flamengo, they faced Benfica in a dramatic Round of 16 clash.
- Following a weather delay and late equaliser from Angel Di Maria, Chelsea won 4–1 in extra time.
- They then beat Palmeiras 2–1 in the quarterfinals and Fluminense 2–0 in the semis to book a spot in the final.
Team News
PSG will be without Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez, both suspended.
Ousmane Dembele, who returned from injury to score in the semifinal, is expected to start.
Predicted PSG lineup:
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.
Chelsea will welcome back Levi Colwill and Liam Delap from suspension.
Reece James is pushing for a return to the starting XI, while Moises Caicedo is doubtful due to an ankle injury sustained in the semifinal.
Predicted Chelsea lineup:
Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez, Nkunku; Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro.
Manager Reactions
Luis Enrique (PSG coach):
“We are in a special season, a special moment, and we have one more step against a very good team like Chelsea. We want to make history for our club.”
Enzo Maresca (Chelsea coach):
“It’s been a fantastic season — top four in the Premier League, Conference League champions, and now the Club World Cup final. We’re very happy and fully focused on winning this last game.”
Head-to-Head
This will be the ninth meeting between PSG and Chelsea:
- PSG wins: 3
- Chelsea wins: 2
- Draws: 3
Their last encounter was in 2016, when PSG won 2–1 at Stamford Bridge, securing a 4–2 aggregate win in the Champions League Round of 16.
Kickoff Time
The final will kick off at 8:00 PM local time (1:00 AM West Africa Time).
The winner will not only walk away with the prestigious title but also significant prize money and global bragging rights in what FIFA has called the biggest Club World Cup in history.
