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The inaugural expanded FIFA Club World Cup concludes Sunday at MetLife Stadium, featuring a highly anticipated final between European champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Chelsea.
Among those expected to attend is President Donald Trump.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his satisfaction with the tournament, which he declared on Saturday marked the beginning of “the golden era of club football.”
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca acknowledged PSG as “probably in this moment the best team in the world,” and the French giants are aiming to complete an extraordinary season with a clean sweep of trophies.
PSG’s Dominance vs. Chelsea’s Underdog Spirit
PSG has had a remarkable season, securing both the French league and cup titles, followed by their first-ever UEFA Champions League trophy with a record-breaking 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in May. Their dominant form has continued into the Club World Cup, with impressive wins against Atletico Madrid, Inter Miami, and Bayern Munich, culminating in a resounding 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
Coach Luis Enrique stated that finishing the season “in the best possible manner” is highly important for his team.
While PSG, led by Ballon d’Or candidate Ousmane Dembele, are strong favourites, Chelsea arrives fresh from a fourth-place finish in the Premier League and a UEFA Conference League title. Chelsea’s Reece James acknowledged PSG’s strong form but emphasised that “this is the final, a one-off game.”
He added that the underdog status doesn’t concern him, having experienced both favoured and underdog roles in past finals. Chelsea is hoping that key midfielder Moises Caicedo recovers from a twisted ankle sustained in their semi-final victory over Fluminense.
High Stakes: Heat Concerns and Massive Prize Money
The final will be held at the 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium, also the venue for the 2026 World Cup final, with the Manhattan skyline as its backdrop.
The 3:00 PM local time kickoff raises concerns about high temperatures, with Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez deeming playing in the afternoon “very dangerous.” There are also broader worries about the long-term impact of the demanding match calendar on players; this final will be PSG’s 65th game and Chelsea’s 64th since last August.
Despite these concerns, the financial rewards are substantial. Both Chelsea and PSG are guaranteed to take home over $100 million in prize money, with the final amount to be determined after the match. This prize money will be particularly welcome for Chelsea, who recently faced a UEFA fine for breaching financial rules.
Infantino, speaking from Trump Tower in New York City, expressed his satisfaction with the new 32-team tournament, stating, “We created something new, something which is here to stay, something which is changing the landscape of club football.”
He boldly claimed it is “already the most successful club competition in the world,” with the next edition set for 2029.
