By Jokanola Bolaji
Sunday July 13th 2025 by 8:00 PM Nigeria time is a day to remember in the world of soccer. it is going to be a clash for international supremacy between UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and UEFA Conference League winners Chelsea, who meet in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup at the 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium.
In this article, we take a look at how both teams qualified for this competition and their road to the final. We also explore team news, injury concerns for both teams as well as suspensions ahead of the final.
CHELSEA’s ROAD TO THE FINAL
Winning the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League by defeating Manchester City 1–0 in Porto secured Chelsea a place in the new format of the FIFA Club World Cup. That Champions League triumph guaranteed them participation in this tournament.
Coming into the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States of America, Chelsea arrived with momentum after convincingly defeating Real Betis 4–1 to win the UEFA Europa Conference League. The side coached by Enzo Maresca also finished fourth in the English Premier League, securing UEFA Champions League qualification for the 2025/26 season.
Chelsea opened their campaign in Group D with a solid 2–0 victory over MLS side Los Angeles FC in Atlanta. Pedro Neto struck early before captain Enzo Fernández doubled the lead, setting a confident tone for Maresca’s side.
Their next match brought a setback as they suffered a 3–1 loss to Flamengo at Lincoln Financial Field. Despite taking the lead through Pedro Neto, Chelsea were undone by a clinical performance from the Brazilian side, who scored three unanswered goals.
Chelsea rebounded emphatically in their final group game, securing a 3–0 win over Espérance de Tunis of Tunisia. Goals from Tosin Adarabioyo, Liam Delap (on debut), and Tyrique George sealed their spot in the knockout stage as Group D runners‑up.
As runners-up, they faced Portuguese side Benfica in the Round of 16. The Blues secured a 4–1 win following a forced two-hour delay due to weather conditions.
Malo Gusto’s handball resulted in a stoppage-time penalty by Ángel Di María, which leveled the score. However, Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall added to Reece James’s earlier free-kick to deliver a commanding victory.
In the quarter‑finals, Chelsea faced Brazilian champions Palmeiras. Cole Palmer opened the scoring, before Palmeiras equalised through Estevão.
In the 83rd minute, an own goal by Agustin Giay, forced by pressure from Malo Gusto, sealed a 2–1 win for Chelsea and a place in the semi-finals.
The semi‑final against Fluminense in New Jersey saw new signing João Pedro shine on his first full start. He scored twice, in the 18th and 56th minutes, to secure a 2–0 win and send Chelsea through to the final.
Many may consider Chelsea’s route to the final as favourable, given they have yet to face a European heavyweight. However, much has changed since a mid-season slump nearly derailed Maresca’s debut campaign. Now, the Conference League winners are just one win away from more glory.
To achieve that, they must defeat Europe’s top team and claim a second Club World Cup title, adding to the one they won in 2022 under Thomas Tuchel.
PSG’S ROAD TO THE FINAL
A commanding 5–0 annihilation of Inter Milan in the final of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League confirmed Paris Saint-Germain’s place in this global tournament hosted in the United States. A trophy they won for the first time in their history.
PSG began their Club World Cup campaign in dominant fashion with a 4–0 victory over Spanish side Atlético Madrid. Fabián Ruiz scored twice, Vitinha added a first-half goal, and Senny Mayulu netted late to complete the rout and send a message in Group B.
In their second group match, the French champions suffered a surprise 1–0 defeat to Botafogo, the reigning South American champions.
Igor Jesus scored the lone goal in a result that shocked many observers, as PSG failed to find a response.
PSG bounced back in their final group game, defeating Seattle Sounders 2–0. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring before Achraf Hakimi added another, ensuring PSG topped Group B on head-to-head goal difference and advanced to the knockout stage.
In the Round of 16, PSG thrashed Inter Miami 4–0. Midfielder João Neves scored a brace, Hakimi added one, and an own goal by Miami capped off the emphatic win.
Notably, Ousmane Dembélé did not start that match due to fitness concerns.
The quarter-final clash against Bayern Munich was fiercely contested. Despite being reduced to nine men, PSG emerged 2–0 winners.
Desiré Doué scored late before Dembélé wrapped it up in stoppage time, eliminating Vincent Kompany’s team in dramatic fashion.
In the semi-final in New Jersey, PSG delivered a 4–0 victory over previously unbeaten Real Madrid. Fabián Ruiz netted twice, Dembélé scored one and assisted another, while Gonçalo Ramos added the final goal.
The result left Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid stunned and sent PSG into their first Club World Cup final.
Led by an experienced manager who previously won the Club World Cup with Barcelona in 2015, PSG have earned praise for their relentless work rate and clinical finishing.
They now stand just 90 minutes—potentially more—away from completing a remarkable quadruple, having already secured the Ligue 1 title, the French Super Cup, and the UEFA Champions League.
INJURY CONCERNS AND SUSPENSIONS
Chelsea have received a timely boost ahead of Sunday’s final, with Moisés Caicedo returning to full training after recovering from an ankle issue. However, manager Enzo Maresca may still be without several key players.
Midfielders Dário Essugo and Romeo Lavia are doubtful due to muscular problems, while defender Benoît Badiashile also remains a concern.
Noni Madueke is unlikely to feature as transfer talks with Arsenal intensify. In addition, new signings Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Estevão are ineligible for the competition.
On a positive note, Levi Colwill and Liam Delap are back from suspension after missing the semi-final.
Delap’s return offers depth in attack, although João Pedro, who scored twice against Fluminense, is expected to retain his place up front.
Paris Saint-Germain, meanwhile, have a nearly clean bill of health.
However, Luis Enrique will be without defenders Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernández, who are both suspended following red cards received in the quarter-final against Bayern Munich.
Lucas Beraldo is likely to partner captain Marquinhos in central defence, with PSG expected to field an unchanged lineup for the final at MetLife Stadium.
Ousmane Dembélé, a Balon d’Or contender this year, made his first start of the tournament in the semi-final against Real Madrid following a brief injury layoff. Fully fit again, he is expected to lead PSG’s familiar attacking trio.
