Just over three years ago, Chelsea claimed victory over Brazilian team Palmeiras, securing the 2021 Club World Cup title that had been delayed. Fast forward to today, and the Blues are gearing up for their third stint in FIFA’s premier international club competition.
Chelsea in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup: Essential Information
Having last participated in the Club World Cup due to their 2020/21 UEFA Champions League success, Chelsea has qualified for the tournament’s 21st edition through the same route. All continental champions from the prior four seasons are granted automatic entry, meaning Premier League rivals Manchester City will also compete in FIFA’s top club event.
The 2025 Club World Cup introduces a new, expanded format, with 32 teams descending on the United States this June. Teams will first face off in a group stage, with the top two from each pool advancing to the knockout rounds. In their previous two Club World Cup entries, Chelsea began at the semi-final stage due to the tournament’s smaller size and stringent seeding process.
We’ve compiled an extensive overview of Chelsea’s upcoming Club World Cup journey, featuring fixture details, squad insights, historical performance, and the standout players aiming to lead the Blues to triumph on American soil. We’ve also explored the favourites heading into the tournament and their corresponding betting odds, as well as a detailed analysis of Chelsea’s group-stage adversaries. Plus, find out where to catch all 63 Club World Cup matches for free by reading our comprehensive TV guide.
Match Fixtures, Group Stage Opponents, and Tournament Schedule
To ensure a fair competitive balance and geographical diversity among the eight groups, FIFA ranked all 32 participating teams before last December’s Club World Cup draw.
Positioned as the fifth-highest-ranked European team, Chelsea was allocated to pot two along with other UEFA competitors such as Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Porto, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Juventus, and RB Salzburg, thus avoiding early clashes with these teams in the group phase.
Chelsea has been placed in Group D, where they will go up against Flamengo from CONMEBOL (pot one), Club León from CONCACAF (pot three), and Espérance Tunis from CAF (pot four) this June. Enzo Maresca’s squad will kick off their campaign at Atlanta’s Mercedez-Benz Stadium before heading to Pennsylvania for their other two group games at the expansive Lincoln Financial Field.
The tournament kicks off on Saturday, 14th June, as hosts Inter Miami face reigning CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly at the Hard Rock Stadium. Group D action gets underway less than 48 hours later, with Chelsea taking on Mexican side Club León in Georgia. The final showdown will occur at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, 13th July, after the original 32 teams have been narrowed down to just two.
Group Stage Matches
The opening segment of the Club World Cup utilises a round-robin format, meaning Chelsea will encounter each of their group-stage opponents once. Below is the fixture schedule.
Match 1: Chelsea vs. Club León
Date: Monday, 16th June
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Stadium: Mercedez-Benz Stadium, Atlanta (GA)
Match 2: Chelsea vs. Flamengo
Date: Friday, 20th June
Kick-off: 2.00pm
Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (PA)
Match 3: Chelsea vs. Espérance Tunis
Date: Tuesday, 24th June
Kick-off: 9.00pm
Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (PA)
*All dates and kick-off times are in local time zones.
Knockout Stage Fixture Details
The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, leading to eight Round of 16 matches. Winning teams will continue to the quarter-finals, with the semi-finals and the final scheduled in New Jersey for the week beginning Monday, 6th July. All knockout ties will be single-elimination matches, with extra time or penalties if necessary.
With the full match schedule already established, Chelsea can strategise potential routes to the final. There are two possible pathways based on their group stage performance:
If Chelsea tops Group D, they will face the runners-up of Group C in the Round of 16. Conversely, should they finish as Group D runners-up, a clash with the Group C winners awaits. Possible opponents in Group C include New Zealand’s Auckland City, Argentine powerhouses Boca Juniors, familiar nemesis Bayern Munich, or twice-crowned European champions Benfica.
Should Chelsea end the group stage in third or fourth place, Enzo Maresca’s side will automatically exit the tournament, although this scenario is not anticipated by the bookmakers.
Chelsea’s potential Round of 16 matchups
R16 Match 2: Group C winners vs. Group D runners-up
Date: Saturday, 28th June
Kick-off: 4.00pm
Stadium: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte (NC)
R16 Match 4: Group D winners vs. Group C runners-up
Date: Sunday, 29th June
Kick-off: 4.00pm
Stadium: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami (FL)
Insights on Chelsea’s Group D Opponents
With limited access to the top leagues in Brazil, Mexico, and Tunisia in the United Kingdom, Chelsea supporters may not be entirely acquainted with Flamengo, Club León, or Espérance Tunis. Here’s what you need to know about Chelsea’s Group D rivals:
Flamengo (Full name: Clube de Regatas do Flamengo) – Brazil
One of Brazil’s most renowned clubs, Flamengo has amassed an impressive tally of domestic trophies in its 130-year rich history. While the Flamengo outfit hasn’t lifted the Série A title since 2020, their influential captain, Gerson, has recently secured both the Copa do Brasil and Supercopa do Brasil.
Flamengo qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup following their victory in the 2022 Copa Libertadores, edging out Athletico Paranaense in a closely contested final in Guayaquil. After coming from behind to beat Al Hilal in the semifinals, they faced heartbreak in the 2019 Club World Cup final against Liverpool, succumbing to a goal from Roberto Firmino.
After finishing third in the 2022 Club World Cup with a convincing win over Al Ahly, talisman Pedro solidified his position as a standout performer, scoring multiple goals throughout the tournament.
Club León – Mexico
Club León claimed the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League title by defeating Tigres UANL in the semi-finals and Los Angeles FC in the finals. Their triumph not only granted them a spot in this tournament in the U.S. but also marked their return to the Club World Cup, having faced elimination in their previous attempt.
Although the 2021 Liga Cup titleholders have had a tough few seasons, the acquisition of Colombian star James Rodríguez should provide a boost. The experienced midfielder, who has enjoyed stints at major clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Everton, could potentially reach his 500th career appearance in this tournament.
Espérance Tunis (Full name: Espérance Sportive de Tunis) – Tunisia
Espérance Tunis is the most successful club in Tunisia, holding records for the most league titles and domestic cups. Despite winning the CAF Champions League four times, they earned their place in the 2025 Club World Cup as Africa’s third-best club.
They have struggled in their previous Club World Cup appearances, falling at the first hurdle each time, but showed resilience by winning play-off matches after being eliminated.
Broadcasting Details: Where to Watch Chelsea Compete in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
All 63 matches of this year’s Club World Cup will be available exclusively live on DAZN. Viewers can catch the matches by downloading the DAZN App on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, or gaming consoles. Account holders can also stream the action through their personal DAZN account on standard web browsers.
In an exciting development, DAZN will air every 2025 Club World Cup match for free. Chelsea fans simply need to sign up for a non-subscription DAZN account to access all matches and keep track of their club’s performance along with their competitors.
As DAZN holds full broadcasting rights, there’s potential for matches to be sub-licensed to free-to-air channels, providing even more opportunities to follow the tournament from kickoff to the final whistle.
Projecting Chelsea’s Club World Cup Squad
After an exhausting season competing on multiple fronts, Enzo Maresca may consider resting some key players during this month-long tournament. However, FIFA has implemented several measures to encourage clubs to bring their strongest squads to North America this summer.
In a somewhat contentious decision, FIFA has permitted clubs to engage in transfer activity two weeks prior to the Club World Cup. The transfer window opens on 12th June for all UEFA-affiliated clubs; however, the twelve European qualifiers can start signing players at the beginning of the same month. This means that both Chelsea and Manchester City may make new signings before their journey to the United States.
FIFA also allows clubs to make player transfers while the tournament’s Round of 16 matches are ongoing, enabling teams that advance to enhance their rosters for the latter stages. Moreover, any player whose contract is set to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season can extend their deal until the tournament’s conclusion. Thus, notable talents such as Jadon Sancho and Lucas Bergström won’t have to leave the squad prematurely.
Despite the demanding schedule, Enzo Maresca is likely to rely on an experienced squad. However, expect the Italian manager to promote several young talents as he seeks to maintain freshness in his starting lineup.
Chelsea’s Potential Club World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers
Robert Sánchez, Filip Jörgensen, Lucas Bergström
Defenders
Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, Benoît Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Malo Gusto, Reece James, Josh Acheampong
Midfielders
Moisés Caicedo, Roméo Lavia, Enzo Fernández, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Mathis Amougou, Samuel Rak-Sakyi
Forwards
Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Marc Guiu, Noni Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk, Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho, Tyrique George
Key Players
Chelsea possesses a squad filled with talent, yet a few individuals will shoulder extra responsibility as they aim to seize a second Club World Cup title. Let’s take a look at those earmarked by Enzo Maresca to lead the charge this summer.
Cole Palmer
After his departure from Manchester City, Cole Palmer shone in his first season at Stamford Bridge, netting an impressive 27 goals in 48 appearances. The English forward has already amassed 14 goals in the current Premier League campaign, contributing significantly to Chelsea’s rise in the table.
Having been added to Chelsea’s UEFA Conference League squad for the knockout rounds, the 22-year-old is aiming for another European winners medal to add to his growing trophy cabinet.
Christopher Nkunku
Despite facing challenges during his initial season in England, Christopher Nkunku is now starting to showcase his vast attacking talents while donning the famous blue jersey. With eight direct goal contributions in the initial phase of the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League, the quick Frenchman seeks to build on this momentum moving into the latter half of the season.
Nkunku is among the few players to score in all three major UEFA Club Competitions—will he add a Club World Cup goal to his impressive tally?
Reece James
A product of Chelsea’s esteemed academy and the club captain for almost two years, Reece James is a vital presence in the Chelsea dressing room. Having played a significant role in the Blues’ 2021 UEFA Champions League triumph, he delivered a renowned performance during the final at Estádio do Dragão.
Though he has grappled with injury issues recently, the talented English player is getting back to his best just as the season heats up. James needs to perform at his peak if Chelsea is to achieve success in America.
Odds to Win: Chelsea’s Chances in the 2025 Club World Cup
While many anticipated a transitional phase under newly appointed Italian manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea has shown cohesion throughout the 2024/25 season. Despite two early exits from domestic cups, the Blues are still in contention for a top-four finish in what has been a greatly encouraging Premier League campaign.
Moreover, the eight-time FA Cup winners have advanced to the knockout stages of the UEFA Conference League without dropping a point, winning all six group fixtures and netting 26 goals in the process. Securing Chelsea’s ninth European title ahead of the restructured Club World Cup could serve as a perfect springboard for further glory.
Bookmakers have marked Chelsea as fourth favourites to clinch the trophy, offering odds that outstrip the likes of Serie A leaders Inter Milan and recent UEFA Champions League runners-up Borussia Dortmund, as well as their 2021 Club World Cup finalists, Palmeiras. So, who else is in contention for silverware in the United States?
To win: 17/2
Manchester City (England)
The reigning Club World Cup champions have had a tumultuous season compared to their previous dominance under Pep Guardiola. However, they remain among the frontrunners for success this summer.
Last time, City triumphed over Urawa Red Diamonds and Fluminense to secure their inaugural piece of international silverware just months after clinching a coveted UEFA Champions League title. With hopes of a glorious end to the season amidst an overhaul on the horizon, City fans are eager for one last flourish.
To win: 7/2 (favourites)
Real Madrid (Spain)
The most successful club in Club World Cup history, Carlo Ancelotti’s team seems almost certain to reach the later stages of the competition.
Having secured a record-extending fourteenth UEFA Champions League title nine months ago, Real Madrid are considered the best club side in the world, driven by stellar performances by Vinícius Júnior and Federico Valverde, who were crucial in their recent title win over Al Hilal.
One would be hard-pressed to bet against them adding another trophy to their impressive collection.
To win: 4/1
Bayern Munich (Germany)
Following a heart-wrenching loss to Chelsea due to Didier Drogba’s penalty, Bayern Munich made a successful debut in the Club World Cup after their 2013 UEFA Champions League victory. They’ve since won the tournament again and boast an unbeaten record, having not conceded a single goal in three Club World Cup appearances.
With aspirations set high, Vincent Kompany’s players are likely to approach the tournament with renewed enthusiasm.
To win: 7/1
The odds quoted are accurate at the time of publishing but are subject to change.
How Chelsea Qualified for the 2025 Tournament
FIFA granted invitations to clubs that have secured a continental title within the past four years, and Chelsea earned their spot in this summer’s tournament by winning the 2020/21 Champions League. They edged out fellow Premier League team Manchester City in a tightly contested final at Estádio do Dragão, secured by Kai Havertz’s solitary first-half goal.
Chelsea’s 2025 Club World Cup Kit
Although Chelsea has yet to unveil a specific kit for this year’s Club World Cup in the U.S., there may be future developments on that front. Given the added prestige surrounding this summer’s edition of FIFA’s tournament, it is likely that many teams will create dedicated kits for the occasion.
History, Highlights, and Statistics
After winning their first UEFA Champions League title via a nerve-wracking penalty shootout against Bayern Munich, Chelsea participated in the 2012 Club World Cup hosted in Japan. Entering at the semi-final stage, they defeated Monterrey, who had claimed the CONCACAF Champions League crown prior. However, the Blues faced a tough loss against Corinthians in the final, courtesy of a second-half header from Paolo Guerrero.
Has Chelsea Ever Won the Club World Cup?
Following their narrow victory over Manchester City in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final, Chelsea set out for the United Arab Emirates to compete in FIFA’s 18th Club World Cup. After a tense semi-final win against Al Hilal, Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring in the final. Although Raphael Veiga equalised, Kai Havertz’s penalty secured a dramatic win for Chelsea in Abu Dhabi.
All set for the States….
As finalists in their first two Club World Cup endeavours, what does the summer hold for Enzo Maresca’s revamped squad? With 32 teams competing for glory, the challenges ahead may prove tougher than those faced by Chelsea’s previous managers.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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