The inaugural edition of FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup reaches its climax today as European champions Paris Saint-Germain face Chelsea in a blockbuster final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, with United States President Donald Trump among the expected spectators.
The marquee matchup fulfills FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s vision for the tournament, which he hailed Saturday as ushering in “the golden era of club football.” PSG enter as overwhelming favorites after a historic season that saw them claim a domestic double before winning their first-ever UEFA Champions League title with a record 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan.
“We’ve had a fantastic season and it’s very important we end it in the best possible manner,” PSG manager Luis Enrique told reporters Friday. His team has maintained blistering form throughout the tournament, racking up 4-0 wins against Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid after thrashing Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami 4-1 in the group stage.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca acknowledged PSG as “probably in this moment the best team in the world,” but captain Reece James remained defiant: “Everyone has them down as strong favorites but I’ve been in many finals where favorites didn’t win. That doesn’t mean too much to me.”
The Blues hope midfielder Moises Caicedo recovers from an ankle injury sustained in Tuesday’s semifinal win over Fluminense. Chelsea arrive having secured fourth in the Premier League and won the UEFA Conference League.
The 3:00 pm local time kickoff (1900 GMT) at the 82,500-seat MetLife Stadium – future host of the 2026 World Cup final – has raised concerns about extreme heat, with Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez calling afternoon matches “very dangerous.” Player workload remains another issue, with PSG playing their 65th match this season and Chelsea their 64th.
Financial stakes are enormous, with both finalists guaranteed over $100 million in prize money – a welcome boost for Chelsea after recent UEFA financial violations. Infantino, speaking from Trump Tower, declared the 32-team format “the most successful club competition in the world,” confirming its continuation in 2029.
As PSG’s Ballon d’Or contender Ousmane Dembele leads their quest for an unprecedented quintuple, the stage is set for a historic conclusion to FIFA’s bold new tournament vision.