The inaugural edition of FIFA’s expanded 32-team Club World Cup comes to an electrifying close this Sunday, as European champions Paris Saint-Germain take on Chelsea at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The final, expected to draw global attention — and high-profile guests including former U.S. President Donald Trump — marks the culmination of what FIFA President Gianni Infantino has dubbed “the golden era of club football.”
For FIFA, the clash between two footballing powerhouses is the perfect script. PSG enters the final in scintillating form, seeking to cap off a historic season in which they secured a domestic league and cup double, and lifted their first-ever UEFA Champions League title with a record 5-0 win over Inter Milan.
Under the leadership of Luis Enrique, the French giants have been relentless, defeating top-tier teams such as Atletico Madrid, Inter Miami, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid — the latter dismantled 4-0 in a commanding semifinal display. With Ballon d’Or contender Ousmane Dembele leading the attack, PSG are widely seen as the team to beat.
“We want to end this season in the best possible way,” Enrique said during a press briefing on Friday. “It’s been a fantastic journey.”
Standing in their path is Chelsea, who arrive with momentum of their own. Fresh off a fourth-place Premier League finish and UEFA Conference League triumph, the Blues have been quietly building under new coach Enzo Maresca. Still, Maresca was candid in acknowledging PSG’s strength: “They are probably the best team in the world right now.”
Despite entering as underdogs, Chelsea’s players remain unfazed. “Everyone sees them as favorites, but finals are unpredictable,” said Chelsea captain Reece James. “We’ve seen plenty of favorites fall short before.”
Chelsea’s hopes could hinge on the availability of Moises Caicedo, who sustained an ankle injury during their semifinal win over Fluminense. His fitness remains uncertain ahead of the final.
Set in the 82,500-seat MetLife Stadium — which will also host the 2026 FIFA World Cup final — Sunday’s match is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. local time (1900 GMT). However, the timing has raised safety concerns due to high afternoon temperatures. Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez described the scheduling as “very dangerous” for players.
The match also spotlights growing concerns about the modern football calendar. PSG and Chelsea will have each played over 64 competitive matches this season. Yet, the lure of lucrative prize money remains undeniable. Both finalists are guaranteed more than $100 million in rewards — a timely windfall for Chelsea, who were recently penalized by UEFA for breaching financial regulations.
Infantino, speaking from Trump Tower on Saturday, hailed the tournament’s debut as a transformative moment for world football. “We created something new, something that is here to stay,” he said. “It is already the most successful club competition in the world.”
As the final curtain falls on this pioneering edition of the Club World Cup, all eyes will be on whether PSG can complete a flawless campaign — or if Chelsea can pull off a stunning upset in what promises to be a landmark evening for global club football.
