FIFA Club World Cup Final Preview: Chelsea v Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain stand just one win away from sealing a historic Club World Cup crown as they prepare to face Chelsea in Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium (kick-off 21:00 CET).

Luis Enrique’s side have dazzled en route to the decider, dispatching some of Europe’s finest—including Bayern Munich and Real Madrid—to confirm their credentials as global favourites. Now, the reigning European champions will aim to add world honours to their already glittering 2024-25 campaign.

Route to the final

After a surprise 2-1 defeat to Botafogo in the group stage, PSG responded with emphatic wins over Atletico Madrid (3-0), Bayern Munich (2-0), and Real Madrid (3-0). Luis Enrique’s men have not conceded since that group-stage loss, recording four straight clean sheets and outscoring their opponents 11-0 in that run.

Fabian Ruiz was again on the scoresheet against Real, clinically finishing after capitalising on an early Los Blancos error. Gonçalo Ramos added a late third to seal a dominant semi-final win, just weeks after PSG thumped Inter Milan 5-0 to lift their first UEFA Champions League title.

For Chelsea, who last won the Club World Cup in 2022, this tournament has also served as a reminder of their growing maturity under Enzo Maresca. The Blues beat Fluminense 2-0 in the semi-finals, with new signing João Pedro scoring twice. Earlier wins over Palmeiras and Benfica helped them reach this stage, despite a group-stage defeat to Flamengo.

Team news

Paris Saint-Germain remain without suspended defenders Lucas Hernandez and Willian Pacho, who were both sent off in the quarter-final win over Bayern. Lucas Beraldo is expected to continue alongside captain Marquinhos at centre-back.

Ousmane Dembélé, now fully fit, made his first start of the tournament against Real Madrid and should lead the line alongside Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and teenager Désiré Doué—a frontline combining creativity, explosiveness and youth. The midfield trio of Neves, Vitinha and Ruiz is set to remain unchanged.

Chelsea welcome back Levi Colwill and Liam Delap from suspension, and Moises Caicedo has recovered from an ankle issue. However, the Londoners are without Benoît Badiashile, Dario Essugo, and Romeo Lavia through injury, while Noni Madueke is sidelined amid ongoing transfer talks.

A shot at history

Victory on Sunday would cap a historic campaign for PSG, who have already lifted Ligue 1 McDonald's, the Coupe de France and the UEFA Champions League this season. A first-ever Club World Cup triumph would seal a prestigious quadruple—cementing this PSG side’s place among the greats.

Luis Enrique, who won the tournament with Barcelona in 2015, is aiming to repeat the feat with a new generation of stars. As his free-scoring, high-intensity side prepare for one last challenge in New Jersey, all eyes are on whether Les Parisiens can take the final step on the world stage.

Possible Lineups

Chelsea: Sánchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernández, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Nkunku; Pedro
Paris Saint-Germain: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé, Doué