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As the curtain draws on the inaugural edition of FIFA’s expanded 32-team Club World Cup, an epic finale awaits fans around the world. On Sunday, European champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will lock horns with English giants Chelsea in a mouth-watering clash at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — a match FIFA President Gianni Infantino is billing as the perfect crescendo to what he calls “the golden era of club football.”
Set against the dramatic Manhattan skyline, the final will not only be a celebration of football’s global reach but also a high-stakes duel featuring two of the sport’s most formidable forces. And if the presence of former U.S. President Donald Trump in the stands is any indication, this final is more than just a football match — it’s a spectacle.
The Road to Glory: PSG’s Season of Supremacy
For PSG, this final represents the crowning jewel in what has been a fairytale season. The Parisian club, long accused of underachieving on the European stage, finally shed that tag with a historic and dominant 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final. The triumph marked their first-ever European title and cemented their position among football’s elite.
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But they didn’t stop there.
Luis Enrique’s men have steamrolled their way through the Club World Cup. They opened their campaign by netting four goals against Atletico Madrid and followed it up with another four against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. A commanding 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals further underscored their dominance.
Their semi-final performance was arguably the tournament’s most astonishing result — a ruthless 4-0 dismantling of arch-rivals Real Madrid. Ousmane Dembélé, a Ballon d’Or contender, has been at the heart of their success, dazzling defenders with his pace, dribbling, and end product.
“It has been a fantastic season and for us it is very important that we end it in the best possible manner,” said Luis Enrique at Friday’s pre-match press conference. For the Spanish tactician and his star-studded squad, anything less than lifting the trophy would feel like a blemish on an otherwise perfect season.
Chelsea’s Unexpected Rise: From Under the Radar to the Big Stage
If PSG’s presence in the final was expected, Chelsea’s journey has been more of a surprise. The Blues arrived in the United States riding the momentum of a strong finish to their domestic campaign, having secured fourth place in the Premier League and lifting the UEFA Conference League.
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Under the stewardship of new manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea have shown signs of tactical maturity, defensive solidity, and attacking flair. Their path to the final included a well-earned victory over Brazilian side Fluminense in the semi-finals, although the match left a few scars — notably a twisted ankle for key midfielder Moisés Caicedo.
Despite the injury concerns, Chelsea enter Sunday’s final with belief.
“PSG are probably in this moment the best team in the world,” Maresca admitted. “But finals are decided by moments. We’re here because we deserve to be, and we’ll give everything we have.”
Club captain Reece James echoed the sentiment. “Everyone has them down as strong favourites but I have been in many finals before where we have been favourites and we have not come out on top. That doesn’t mean too much to me,” he said.
The Stage: MetLife Stadium and High-Stakes Conditions
The 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — also the site of the 2026 World Cup Final — will play host to this historic encounter. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. local time (1900 GMT), a time slot that has drawn criticism from players and medical experts due to soaring temperatures.
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Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez voiced concerns, saying that playing in the intense afternoon heat was “very dangerous.” Given the packed football calendar and the physical demands on players, there’s growing scrutiny over the scheduling decisions made in pursuit of global viewership.
Sunday’s final will mark the 65th match of the season for PSG and the 64th for Chelsea — a workload that reflects the unrelenting nature of modern elite football.
A Financial Windfall
Beyond prestige and glory, there are immense financial incentives at play. Both PSG and Chelsea are guaranteed over $100 million in prize money for reaching the final, with the winner poised to earn even more. This windfall is particularly significant for Chelsea, who were recently fined by UEFA for financial rule violations.
In a footballing landscape increasingly shaped by economic muscle, the expanded Club World Cup offers a new revenue stream — and a potentially transformative one. Gianni Infantino, speaking from Trump Tower in New York on Saturday, couldn’t contain his satisfaction.
“We created something new, something which is here to stay,” he said. “It is already the most successful club competition in the world.”
The next edition of the Club World Cup is scheduled for 2029, but this first iteration has already made waves. The promise of glamour fixtures, global audiences, and lucrative rewards has ensured that FIFA’s latest venture will become a mainstay on the football calendar.
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Key Battles and Tactical Outlook
On the field, the battle will be one of styles as much as skills.
PSG are expected to continue with their high-pressing, fluid attacking game, built around the pace of Dembélé, the creativity of Vitinha, and the metronomic control of Fabian Ruiz. Their defense, led by Milan Škriniar and Marquinhos, has been near-impenetrable.
Chelsea, meanwhile, will rely on their compact midfield and defensive shape, hoping to exploit spaces on the counter through the likes of Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer. If Caicedo is fit, his presence will be crucial in disrupting PSG’s rhythm.
The tactical duel between Luis Enrique and Enzo Maresca adds another layer of intrigue. While Enrique’s vast experience gives PSG a managerial edge, Maresca’s fresh ideas and bold approach have made Chelsea unpredictable — and dangerous.
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A Global Showcase
As FIFA looks to position this new format as a true global championship, the 2025 final offers the perfect advertisement. It’s a meeting of two continents, two philosophies, and two clubs that symbolize the modern game’s evolution.
The stakes are high, the stage is grand, and the world will be watching.
Will PSG complete their flawless season with a fifth major trophy and stamp their authority as football’s undisputed kings? Or will Chelsea spoil the Parisian party and write a new chapter of their own in club football’s history?
Whatever the outcome, the first expanded Club World Cup final promises drama, quality, and legacy.
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