The stage is set for a pulsating finale to the inaugural FIFA expanded Club World Cup as Paris Saint Germain lock horns with Chelsea at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday. The highly anticipated clash, expected to be witnessed by dignitaries including former United States President Donald Trump, promises to be a glittering climax to what FIFA President Gianni Infantino has described as the dawn of the “golden era of club football.”
European champions PSG head into the final riding a wave of unprecedented success this season. The French giants are aiming to seal a historic clean sweep of trophies, having already clinched the Ligue 1 title, the French Cup, and the UEFA Champions League in emphatic style. Their 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the Champions League final sent shockwaves through Europe and reaffirmed their status as the team to beat.
Under the guidance of Luis Enrique, PSG have steamrolled their way through the Club World Cup. Wins over Atletico Madrid and Inter Miami, followed by a quarter-final triumph over Bayern Munich, paved the way for a semi-final masterclass against Real Madrid, which ended in a 4-0 thrashing. With Ballon d’Or contender Ousmane Dembele leading the charge, PSG appear almost unstoppable.
“We have had a fantastic season and we want to finish it with another trophy,” Enrique told reporters on Friday. “This final means a lot to us.”
Chelsea however are not just here to make up the numbers. Under new manager Enzo Maresca, the Blues have found new rhythm, finishing fourth in the Premier League and lifting the UEFA Conference League. They earned their place in the final after defeating Brazilian side Fluminense in the semi-final.
“They are one of the hottest teams in the world at the moment,” said Chelsea captain Reece James. “But this is a final and anything can happen. We are not intimidated. I have seen favourites fall before.”
The London side were hoping for a timely return of midfielder Moises Caicedo who suffered a twisted ankle during the semi-final. His availability remains uncertain ahead of kickoff.
The final kicks off at 3pm local time (1900 GMT) in searing heat, sparking concerns from players and medical staff alike. Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez warned that the afternoon fixture could be “very dangerous” given the weather conditions.
Despite the risks, the lure of enormous prize money has raised the stakes even higher. Both clubs are guaranteed a payday north of 100 million dollars, a timely boost for Chelsea who are under financial scrutiny after recent UEFA sanctions.
The 82500-seater MetLife Stadium, which will also host the 2026 World Cup final, provides a fitting stage for the showdown between two of Europe’s elite sides. Infantino was upbeat about the success of the 32-team tournament and its impact on global football.
“We created something new and exciting,” he said during a press briefing at Trump Tower in New York. “It is already the most successful club competition in the world.”
Whether it ends in French flair or English grit, Sunday’s final promises to be a spectacle of modern football and a defining moment for the future of the Club World Cup.
