All eyes will be on the MetLife Stadium this Sunday evening as Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain battle for global supremacy in the FIFA Club World Cup Final.
Hosted in the United States, the inaugural edition of the tournament has brought together top clubs from every continent, with 11 European Club Association (ECA) Member Clubs taking part. Their presence has reflected the ECA’s central role in developing the competition, working closely with FIFA to deliver both the sporting spectacle and long-term benefits for the wider game.
This has been underlined through the long-term strategic alliance between the two organisations since 2023, which includes a commitment to collaborate on the development of the FIFA Club World Cup, the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup and the ongoing growth of global club football.
Making Football Fairer for All Clubs
Ahead of the competition, ECA and FIFA co-hosted a high-level stakeholder meeting in Miami, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, CONMEBOL President Alejandro Domínguez, Arsène Wenger and representatives from all 11 ECA clubs involved.
“ECA has been supportive of this tournament from the beginning,” reflected ECA Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaïfi “We believe that the FIFA Club World Cup will become a landmark competition, and can deliver real benefits for all clubs, with an expected $250 million in solidarity for non-participating clubs.”
Central to the FIFA Club World Cup is financial solidarity. With an expected $250 million earmarked for non-participating clubs, the competition aims to support the game far beyond the elite level. These funds will help develop infrastructure, invest in talent and strengthen club development across all confederations.
Let’s take a closer look at how both sides have progressed during the tournament.
Route to the Final
Chelsea may have finished second in Group D behind Fluminense, but the Premier League side have grown into the tournament. They cruised past fellow ECA club Benfica 4-1 in the round of 16, before a late own goal from Palmeiras defender Agustín Giay secured a 2-1 quarter-final win. Summer signing João Pedro proved decisive in the semi-final, scoring twice against former side Fluminense to send Chelsea into the final.
PSG, the UEFA Champions League winners, underlined their intent with a dominant 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid in their opening game, after topping Group B, a round of 16 clash with hosts Inter Miami and former player Lionel Messi followed, but the Parisians raced into a 4-0 lead by half-time.
Down to nine men in the quarter-final against Bayern Munich, PSG still found a way, with Ousmane Dembélé’s stoppage-time strike sealing a 2-0 win. Les Rouge et Bleu carried that momentum into the semi-finals, brushing aside Real Madrid 4-0 thanks in part to a brace from midfielder Fabián Ruiz.
Key Players
With a goal in the quarter-final and semi-final, Ousmane Dembélé has continued a standout domestic season into the FIFA Club World Cup. The French international is integral to PSG’s attacking play, and his dynamism and finishing ability will be needed if the Parisians are to cap off a season to remember by lifting the FIFA Club World Cup.
Cole Palmer has notched a goal and an assist at the FIFA Club World Cup, but don’t be surprised if the attacker comes up with a match winning performance on Sunday evening. Ice cool under pressure, Palmer has the temperament and ability to deliver when it matters most, making him one of Chelsea’s key threats as they look to lift the title at MetLife Stadium.
Sunday’s final promises to be a must-watch contest between two of the biggest names in the European game. Backed by ECA’s commitment to financial solidarity and global growth, the FIFA Club World Cup is proving that the club game’s future across the world looks bright.