When Chelsea lifted the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup trophy on Sunday, the roar from the 78,325 fans at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford was unmistakable. The English giants dispatched Paris Saint-Germain Football Club 3–0, sealing an international double that will echo through Stamford Bridge for years.
The 2025 edition was the first to feature an expanded 32‑team format, a brainchild of Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s long‑standing president. By winning outright, Chelsea not only earned the inaugural title but also set a benchmark for clubs entering the new era of global club competition.
The tournament was conceived to give clubs from every confederation a genuine shot at world supremacy. Historically, the eight‑team version favoured European and South American sides. This year’s 32‑team layout, launched in early 2025, meant champions from Africa, Asia, Oceania and North America shared the stage.
For Chelsea, the journey began just months earlier when Enzo Maresca, the 44‑year‑old Italian manager appointed on 15 June 2024, guided the Blues to a surprise UEFA Conference League triumph in Wrocław on 29 May. That victory secured their spot in the Club World Cup and gave Maresca his first taste of silverware with the club.
From the kickoff at 15:00 local time, Chelsea dictated the tempo. Cole Palmer, the 22‑year‑old England forward who joined the squad in the summer, opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a low‑driven finish past PSG keeper Gautier .... He doubled the lead twelve minutes later, slotting home a header from a corner.
The third goal came courtesy of Brazilian striker João Pedro. After a swift counter‑attack, he smashed a low shot into the bottom corner, completing the trio before the half‑time whistle. All three strikes arrived within the first 42 minutes, leaving PSG scrambling.
The match’s dramatic twist arrived in the 85th minute when PSG midfielder João Neves saw red after VAR ruled he deliberately grabbed Cucurella’s hair. The dismissal capped a night that was already tilting heavily in Chelsea’s favour.
U.S. President Donald Trump watched the game from the presidential box, sharing a laugh with Infantino after the final whistle. “A fantastic showcase for New Jersey and for football,” Trump said in a brief statement, adding that the stadium’s successful test run bodes well for the 2026 World Cup final.
Infantino praised the organization: “The MetLife Stadium proved it can host the world’s biggest football moments. The fans, the atmosphere – pure football magic.”
Back in London, César Azpilicueta, Chelsea’s long‑serving captain, lifted the trophy at 17:00, a moment captured by thousands of smartphones and replayed across global sports networks.
For Chelsea, the double reinforces their resurgence under Maresca, who now has both European and world titles on his résumé. Analysts suggest the win could boost the club’s brand value by an estimated $150 million, according to Deloitte’s latest football finance report.
PSG, despite clinching the UEFA Champions League on 1 June 2025 in Munich, will have to regroup. Their manager, Luis Enrique, admitted after the match that the team “still has a lot to learn about handling pressure on the biggest stages.”
The success of the Club World Cup also confirms MetLife Stadium’s readiness for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, scheduled for 19 July. Stadium officials are now fine‑tuning security protocols and fan‑engagement zones ahead of the biggest sporting event in North America.
The Club World Cup prize money, combined with a surge in global merchandise sales, is forecast to lift Chelsea’s revenue by roughly $150 million for the 2025‑26 fiscal year, according to Deloitte’s football finance review.
While PSG secured the Champions League, the Club World Cup loss highlights defensive frailties. Coach Luis Enrique has pledged a squad overhaul, focusing on bolstering midfield discipline ahead of the Ligue 1 campaign.
FIFA expanded the competition to 32 teams to give clubs from all six confederations a genuine roadmap to world glory, addressing criticism that the earlier eight‑team format favoured Europe and South America.
Yes. The venue is slated to host the 2025 NFL season’s opening game, a series of concerts, and a rugby‑union test match in early 2026, all serving as logistical rehearsals for the World Cup final.
Goalkeeper Robert Sánchez delivered vital saves, while left‑back Marc Cucurella anchored the defence. João Pedro, still new to the club after his 2 July registration, added the third goal and cemented his place in the lineup.
Jauregui Genoveva
October 16, 2025 AT 22:12Honestly, turning a football final into a political photo‑op with a former president in the box is just plain cringey 🙄. The game should've been about the players, not about Trump bragging on TV. And while the trophy is nice for Chelsea, the spectacle feels soured by that cameo.