Vitinha of Paris Saint-Germain (right) blocks a shot from Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid during the Fifa Club World Cup 2025 semi-final at MetLife Stadium on 9 July 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo: Qian Jun / Sports Press Photo / Getty Images) 
The expanded Club World Cup – with all its controversies and thrilling action — is just one match away from concluding. Having begun with 32 teams a month ago, only reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and 2021 conquerors of Europe Chelsea remain in the US-hosted tournament.
PSG asserted their title as favourites to land their hands on Fifa’s new moneymaker, which was conceptualised by the global soccer federation’s president Gianni Infantino. The Parisians pummelled record World Cup champions Real Madrid 4-0 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The French champions seized control of the contest with two quickfire goals in the sweltering heat on Wednesday. They punished two uncharacteristic mistakes by Los Blancos’ defence early in the first half. From then on Luis Enrique’s men marshalled the pace of the match as they cruised to a second final in the space of a few weeks.
Paris on the rise
At the end of May, PSG crushed Inter Milan 5-0 in the final to taste their first European Champions League success — 14 years after Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) started pouring billions into this project. Now the French giants have an opportunity to add another trophy to that historic Champions League success.
Although this expanded Club World Cup (which was upgraded from seven teams to the 32) lacks the prestige of the Champions League, Fifa and Infantino are hopeful that one day the competition will also be mentioned in the same breath as Europe’s premier club competition, as well as Fifa’s own national World Cup.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2223559126.jpg "Nonato of Fluminense (left) and Enzo Fernández of Chelsea at MetLife Stadium on 8 July 2025. (Photo: Ricardo Nogueira / Sports Press Photo / Getty Images)")
For now, the one major drawcard for participating teams was the $1-billion pool of prize money. The winner of Sunday night’s final between PSG and Chelsea will pocket a mammoth $125-million for victory.
“It is a very special moment for us Parisians, for all the supporters, the entire club. We did a really good job and played a great match. We’re happy, we’re in the final, and it’s been an incredible season. We want to win this final,” said Enrique after the win over Real.
“We are just one game away from building PSG’s history, and winning all the trophies we have participated in this season. It means a lot to us and it is a pleasure to work at this club. We have scored 100-plus goals and we let in very few. These players are exceptional,” Enrique said.
Blues’ building blocks
While Enrique has finally moulded PSG into a superpower of global soccer during his two years in Paris, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is doing his own building in London.
Unlike PSG, the Blues’ youthful team is far from being the finished product — but the team has made massive strides over the past year under Maresca.
The London-based club were efficient in dispatching Brazilian side Fluminense 2-0 on Tuesday, with their new Brazilian recruit João Pedro starring as he scored a brace in his first start. Chelsea recently signed Pedro from fellow English Premier League team Brighton and he’s hit the ground in full sprint.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2223712237.jpg "Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique. (Photo: Heuler Andrey / Eurasia Sport Images / Getty Images)")
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2224147346.jpg "Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca. (Photo: Marvin Ibo Guengoer — GES Sportfoto / Getty Images)")
“The last few years have not been what the club deserves or what the history of this club says. This year, luckily, has gone quite well,” Maresca said after his side’s victory.
“We finished top four (in the Premier League) and qualified for the Champions League. In the Conference League, we managed to win it, and now we are in this final. We are very proud to help the club get back to where it deserves to be,” the Chelsea tactician added.
Two paths to the final
Despite this sense of optimism within Chelsea, outsiders will be quick to point out that the Blues’ route to the final was a relatively simple one. The two-time European champions faced Los Angeles, Flamengo (who beat them 3-1 in the group phase), Espérance, Benfica, Palmeiras and finally Fluminense. PSG will be their toughest opponent yet.
By contrast, the Parisians began their World Cup campaign with a tussle against Atlético Madrid. They won 4-0. They also faced Bayern Munich and Real on their way to the final. Nevertheless, PSG midfielder Vitinha says they will respect Chelsea in the final.
“It will be a difficult match for sure, it’s a final and they want to win as well. It will be tough. Now we are going to rest. It was very hot during the game (against Real). So, we must rest well so that we can face the final in the best way possible,” Vitinha stated.
The final match of the World Cup is scheduled for Sunday, 13 July 2025. Kick-off is at 9pm and the game will be played at the MetLife Stadium. DM