The FIFA Club World Cup 2025, set to take place from June 14 to July 13 in the United States, marks a historic moment in club football. With an expanded 32-team format, the tournament brings together the world’s elite clubs from all six continental confederations to crown a global champion. Among the contenders is Chelsea Football Club, a powerhouse of English and European football, ready to showcase their talent on the world stage. As the 2021 UEFA Champions League winners, Chelsea have earned their spot in this prestigious competition, and under the guidance of head coach Enzo Maresca, they are poised to make a strong case for the title. Here’s everything you need to know about Chelsea’s journey in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
Chelsea’s Path to Qualification
Chelsea’s qualification for the 2025 Club World Cup stems from their triumph in the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League, where they defeated Manchester City 1-0 in the final, thanks to a Kai Havertz goal. FIFA’s qualification criteria for the expanded tournament automatically include the winners of each confederation’s premier club competition over a four-year cycle (2021-2024). As one of Europe’s 12 representatives, Chelsea join other heavyweights like Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich. This marks Chelsea’s third appearance in the Club World Cup, having competed in 2012 (runners-up) and 2022 (champions), when they defeated Palmeiras 2-1 to claim their first world title.
The Blues’ qualification has sparked some debate, given their inconsistent domestic form in recent seasons, including a sixth-place finish in the 2023-24 Premier League. Critics, such as a OneFootball article, have called the qualification process “farcical,” arguing it prioritizes big clubs with historic success over recent merit. However, Chelsea’s Champions League pedigree and global fanbase make their inclusion a boon for the tournament’s commercial and competitive appeal.
The Tournament Format and Chelsea’s Group Stage
The 2025 Club World Cup adopts a format similar to the FIFA World Cup, featuring eight groups of four teams, with the top two from each advancing to the round of 16. Chelsea have been drawn into Group D alongside Los Angeles FC (MLS), Flamengo (Brazil), and Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia). The group presents a mix of challenges, but Chelsea are favorites to progress given their depth and experience.
Chelsea’s group stage fixtures are as follows:
- June 16, 2025: Chelsea vs. Los Angeles FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta (8pm BST). LAFC, featuring former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud, replaced Club Leon after the Mexican side was removed due to multi-club ownership violations. This opener offers a chance for Chelsea to set the tone against a competitive MLS side.
- June 20, 2025: Chelsea vs. Flamengo at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (7pm BST). Flamengo, a CONMEBOL giant, will test Chelsea’s mettle with their passionate style and attacking flair.
- June 24, 2025: Chelsea vs. Esperance de Tunis at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (2am BST, June 25). The Tunisian champions are underdogs but known for their resilience in African competitions.
Chelsea will base themselves in Philadelphia for the group stage, with their opener in Atlanta being the only match outside the city. The Blues have prior experience at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, having beaten Club America 3-0 there in a 2024 pre-season friendly. If Chelsea top Group D, they’ll face the runners-up of Group C (featuring Bayern Munich, Benfica, Boca Juniors, or Auckland City) on June 29. Finishing second would pit them against Group C’s winners on June 28.
Chelsea’s Squad: A Blend of Youth and Experience
Chelsea’s 28-man squad for the tournament, confirmed on June 11, 2025, reflects a balance of established stars, new signings, and young talents. Led by head coach Enzo Maresca, who joined from Leicester City in July 2024, the squad is built to play a possession-based, positional 4-3-3, heavily influenced by Maresca’s time under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Key players like Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, and new signing Liam Delap are expected to shine, while absences like Raheem Sterling, Axel Disasi, and Wesley Fofana (due to transfer speculation or injury) have raised eyebrows.
The confirmed squad includes:
- Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Mike Penders, Gabriel Slonina
- Defenders: Marc Cucurella, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Mamadou Sarr, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, Malo Gusto, Aaron Anselmino, Josh Acheampong
- Midfielders: Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Carney Chukwuemeka, Dario Essugo, Andrey Santos
- Forwards: Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Liam Delap, Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Joao Felix
Notable inclusions are summer signings Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr, and Mike Penders, while young prospects like Kendry Paez and Mathis Amougou were left out. Cole Palmer, fresh off being named Man of the Match in Chelsea’s 4-1 UEFA Conference League final win over Real Betis in May 2025, is the team’s talisman. His creativity and composure will be crucial, as will the contributions of Fernandez and Caicedo in midfield.
Maresca’s Tactical Approach
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea play a structured, possession-oriented game, often deploying an inverted full-back to create midfield overloads. The Athletic describes their style as a “Pep Guardiola-influenced” system, with a three-man defense in possession, a midfield box, and a three-man attack. This approach allows flexibility, enabling Chelsea to dominate weaker opponents while adapting to tougher challenges. However, with the youngest squad in the tournament, their relative inexperience could be tested in high-stakes knockout matches.
Maresca’s success in leading Chelsea to a fourth-place Premier League finish and the Conference League title in 2024-25 has boosted confidence. His ability to integrate new signings and manage a bloated squad will be key, especially with FIFA’s special transfer window allowing clubs to sign players from June 1, 2025, and trade during the round of 16.
Challenges and Contenders
While Chelsea are expected to navigate Group D comfortably, the knockout stages will be a gauntlet. European giants like Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, and Inter Milan are among the favorites, with Paris Saint-Germain’s attacking trio of Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Bradley Barcola posing a significant threat. South American sides like River Plate, Flamengo, and Palmeiras could also spring surprises, while Inter Miami, led by Lionel Messi, add star power despite their underdog status.
Chelsea’s recent history in the Club World Cup gives them an edge. Their 2022 triumph showed resilience, but the 2012 final loss to Corinthians highlighted the unpredictability of global competition. The expanded format and intense schedule—potentially seven matches in four weeks—raise concerns about player fatigue, especially with the 2025-26 Premier League season starting just three weeks after the final. Maresca will need to manage rotations carefully to avoid burnout.
Financial and Strategic Stakes
The 2025 Club World Cup offers unprecedented financial rewards, with a $1 billion prize pool. Winners could earn up to £97 million ($125 million), and even participation guarantees a share of the £406 million participation fee. FIFA’s decision to distribute all revenue to clubs, plus £200 million in solidarity payments globally, underscores the tournament’s ambition to rival the UEFA Champions League. For Chelsea, the financial windfall could fuel further squad investment, especially after their lavish spending under owners Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly.
Strategically, the tournament is a chance for Chelsea to reassert their status among football’s elite. After missing the Champions League for two seasons, a strong showing could solidify Maresca’s project and attract top talent. The global exposure, with all 63 matches streamed free on DAZN, will also amplify Chelsea’s brand, particularly in the U.S. market.
Fan Experience and Logistics
Chelsea fans traveling to the U.S. will find dedicated fan sections in each stadium, though ticket applications closed earlier in 2025. FIFA’s mobile app is required to download tickets, and those who purchased ticket packs are eligible for a guaranteed ticket to a 2026 FIFA World Cup match in the U.S. The tournament’s 12 venues, including Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Lincoln Financial Field, and MetLife Stadium (hosting the final), are primarily on the East Coast, making travel feasible for European supporters.
For fans watching from home, DAZN’s free global livestream ensures accessibility, with potential sublicensing to free-to-air channels in some regions. Chelsea’s matches, especially against LAFC and Flamengo, are expected to draw significant viewership given the star power and competitive stakes.
Predictions and Outlook
Chelsea enter the tournament as “fringe contenders,” per The Athletic, capable of challenging for the title but not among the top favorites like Real Madrid or Manchester City. Their group stage opponents should pose manageable challenges, but advancing deep into the knockouts will require Palmer’s brilliance, Maresca’s tactical nous, and defensive solidity. A potential matchup with Bayern Munich or Boca Juniors in the round of 16 looms as an early test.
Optimistic voices, like The Pride of London, argue Chelsea could dominate, citing their depth and Maresca’s preparation. However, the grueling schedule and strong competition temper expectations. A quarter-final or semi-final appearance would be a respectable achievement, with a second Club World Cup title a dream scenario.
Conclusion
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is a landmark event for Chelsea FC, offering a platform to showcase their resurgence under Enzo Maresca. With a talented squad, a favorable group, and massive financial incentives, the Blues have every reason to approach the tournament with ambition. Whether they can overcome the challenges of an expanded format and elite competition remains to be seen, but Chelsea’s history of defying odds—evident in their 2021 Champions League run—makes them a team to watch. As the world tunes in, Stamford Bridge’s finest are ready to chase global glory once more.
Sources:
- Chelsea FC Official Website
- Sky Sports
- The Athletic
- Wikipedia