Chelsea face a monumental challenge this Sunday as they attempt to thwart Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) relentless pursuit of a clean sweep of trophies in the FIFA Club World Cup final. The match marks the climax of the first edition of FIFA’s expanded competition, set to take place at the sprawling 82,500-seat MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
PSG arrive in the United States brimming with confidence after a sensational season. Fresh off their emphatic 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final in Munich, Luis Enrique’s squad has been in unstoppable form. They’ve dominated their opponents throughout the Club World Cup, dismantling Atlético Madrid, Inter Miami, Bayern Munich, and most recently, a commanding 4-0 triumph over Kylian Mbappé’s Real Madrid in the semifinals.
“That is the objective we have had since the beginning, but it is always very difficult to achieve these things—very few teams can do what we are trying to do,” PSG manager Luis Enrique remarked following their semifinal victory.
Despite PSG’s formidable record, Chelsea remain undaunted. The London club has enjoyed a successful season themselves, securing the UEFA Conference League title and finishing fourth in the Premier League to book their spot in next year’s Champions League. Chelsea’s path to the final saw them overcome Benfica and three Brazilian sides—Palmeiras, Fluminense, and Flamengo—showcasing their resilience and determination.
“If everyone thinks we are going to lose, then we have nothing to lose,” Chelsea defender Levi Colwill stated confidently. “We have to go out there and play our football, be confident, and hopefully try to surprise everyone.”
PSG midfielder Désiré Doué emphasized his team’s focus ahead of the final. “We are not over-confident, not at all,” the French international said during a training session at Rutgers University in New York City. “We have been favorites for most matches in this competition and throughout this season, but what matters is what we do on the pitch.”
Chelsea will need to defy the odds to overcome PSG, who have already bested four Premier League teams—Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal—in European competition this season. As the football world watches, both teams will aim to cap off their campaigns with the coveted Club World Cup trophy.
