Chelsea Crowned Champions in Inaugural Expanded FIFA Club World Cup Final!

In a historic climax to the first-ever expanded FIFA Club World Cup, Chelsea FC emerged victorious, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in a captivating final held at the iconic MetLife Stadium. The victory marks a significant milestone for the English club and caps off a groundbreaking tournament that showcased the very best of global club football. The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, hosted across 11 cities in the United States, saw a dramatic shift in format, expanding to include 32 teams from six confederations. This new, grander stage delivered an exhilarating month of football, culminating in a highly anticipated showdown between two European powerhouses.

From the outset, Chelsea demonstrated their intent with a masterful performance that saw them dominate proceedings. Goals from Cole Palmer (22', 30') and João Pedro (43') sealed the win before halftime, leaving PSG with a mountain to climb. Despite their best efforts, the French champions, who had enjoyed an impressive run to the final, were unable to break through Chelsea's resolute defense. The final at MetLife Stadium, also slated to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, was a spectacle of football, drawing an attendance of 81,118 and an electric atmosphere.

Chelsea's star midfielder, Cole Palmer, expressed his elation after the match. "It’s a great feeling. The gaffer put a great game plan out. He knew where there would be space and tried to free me up as much as possible. I just had to repay him and score some goals. He [Enzo Maresca] is building something special. I feel we’re going in the right direction." Coach Enzo Maresca further emphasized his team's early dominance, stating, "I have no words for the players. For me, we won the game in the first ten minutes. We set the tempo, we knew the way we wanted to play. Today we found a position for Cole where there was more space to attack. The effort from all the players has been fantastic.”

Credit photo : FIFA Club World Cup / DAZN

This tournament has been touted by FIFA President Gianni Infantino as the beginning of "the golden era of club football," and the 2025 edition certainly delivered on that promise. With 63 matches played across diverse venues, football fans witnessed a feast of talent and tactical prowess. The expanded format provided a truly global platform for clubs, allowing teams from across the world to compete on an equal footing for the ultimate club prize.

Despite the loss, PSG defender Marquinhos reflected on his team's impressive season. "It's not just when you win that you do a good job. What we did this season was something we'd never done before. Thirteen years ago in Paris, I'd never competed for titles like this. Of course, we wanted to take this trophy home, but that doesn't erase what we did this season." Chelsea's triumph in New Jersey solidifies their place in football history, adding the inaugural expanded Club World Cup trophy to their illustrious cabinet. As the curtain falls on this monumental tournament, the success of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup sets a thrilling precedent for future editions, promising even more excitement and global participation in the years to come.