Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain will collide at MetLife Stadium in a mouthwatering FIFA Club World Cup final, the first time clubs from England and France will contest a major international title.
Few tipped Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea to reach this stage. But a strong run, favourable draw, and the addition of £60m striker João Pedro have brought them to the brink of glory. PSG, meanwhile, are riding a wave of dominance after sweeping the domestic treble and crushing Europe’s elite.
Luis Enrique’s side have looked almost untouchable. They beat Atlético Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid without conceding. Their 4-0 semi-final win over Madrid saw them score three times inside 24 minutes.
Chelsea’s journey was less smooth. A 3-1 loss to Flamengo raised concerns, but wins over LAFC, Benfica, Palmeiras, and Fluminense showed their resilience. João Pedro scored twice on his debut in the semi-final, instantly becoming a key figure.
Cole Palmer is another standout. The England midfielder has created nine open-play chances at the tournament. Against Fluminense, he created three and completed all 27 passes, a feat matched by only one other player in this year’s competition.
PSG have threats everywhere. Ousmane Dembélé has 36 goal contributions in 2025, the most of any player in Europe’s top five leagues. Bradley Barcola, with 18 assists this year, is pushing hard for a starting spot.
Vitinha has quietly controlled games. He has completed 100+ passes in five Club World Cup matches. Only Chelsea’s Tosin Adarabioyo comes close with two such games.
Chelsea’s record in international finals is impressive. They’ve won five straight, including a 4-1 UEFA Conference League triumph in May. Their last loss in one was back in 2012.
But PSG have blitzed their way to the final. They’ve scored 10 first-half goals and conceded none across the tournament. Chelsea, however, remain solid early in matches, yet to concede in the first half of any game.
This final has all the makings of a classic. Youth, talent, tactics, and high stakes collide under the lights of MetLife. History will be written but the only question is in which colour.
