For the first time, the FIFA Club World Cup final features two clubs from the same continent. This is due to FIFA's change in format, expanding the tournament to 32 teams this year, with seven from Europe.

Today's match between Chelsea and PSG is also the first major international final between English and French representatives.

Few predicted Chelsea's deep run, especially considering the quality of their opponents. However, thanks to impressive performances, a favorable schedule, and the addition of their 82 million USD striker, Enzo Maresca's team is now one win away from glory.

Coach Luis Enrique celebrates after PSG's 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA on 9/7/2025. Photo: AS

Coach Luis Enrique celebrates after PSG's 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA on 9/7/2025. Photo: AS

Their final opponent is the reigning Champions League winner and the world's top-ranked club according to the latest Opta Power Rankings, PSG.

This season, PSG has swept all titles, including Ligue 1, the French Cup, the French Super Cup, and the Champions League, showing no signs of slowing down. On their journey to the FIFA Club World Cup final, Luis Enrique's team defeated Atletico Madrid, Seattle Sounders, Inter Miami, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid with a combined score of 16-0.

In the knockout stages of all competitions, PSG currently boasts a five-game winning streak without conceding a goal, scoring 18 goals total, including 10 in the Club World Cup.

The Parisian club consistently starts strong, scoring 10 first-half goals in the 2025 Club World Cup, second only to Bayern Munich (11 goals). Their expected goals (xG) in the first 45 minutes is 5.85, trailing only Man City (6.18).

Joao Pedro celebrates his goal in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Fluminense in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA on 8/7. Photo: Reuters

Joao Pedro celebrates his goal in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Fluminense in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA on 8/7. Photo: Reuters

Chelsea presents a stark contrast with their exceptionally solid first-half defense. In the tournament, Enzo Maresca's side has yet to concede a goal and has limited opponents to an xG of 0.85 in the opening 45 minutes. This is the best statistic in the 2025 Club World Cup, despite Chelsea playing more matches than most teams.

Not only defensively sound, Chelsea also demonstrates impressive diversity in their scoring. In their last 10 Club World Cup goals (excluding own goals), nine different "Blues" players have found the net, showcasing their collective, flexible, and unpredictable playing style. Newcomer Joao Pedro is the only player with more than one goal in this run, scoring a brace in his debut against Fluminense in the semi-final, leading Chelsea to a 2-0 victory.

Besides Pedro, Cole Palmer is another player PSG must be wary of. In the 2025 Club World Cup, only two players have created more chances from open play than Palmer (9 chances). In the semi-final against Fluminense, the English midfielder created three scoring opportunities and completed all 27 of his passes, becoming the second player in the tournament to achieve this after Rayan Ait-Nouri (Man City, against Juventus).

PSG also has game-changers, most notably Ousmane Dembele. The French forward contributed a goal and an assist in the 4-0 semi-final win over Real Madrid, bringing his 2025 tally to 27 goals and 9 assists, at least five more goals than any other player from Europe's top five leagues in the same period.

Ousmane Dembele celebrates his goal, making it 2-0, in PSG's 4-0 win over Real Madrid in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey on 9/6/2025. Photo: AP

Ousmane Dembele celebrates his goal, making it 2-0, in PSG's 4-0 win over Real Madrid in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey on 9/6/2025. Photo: AP

Prior to today’s FIFA Club World Cup final, the two teams have met eight times in the Champions League, with PSG winning three, drawing three, and losing two. In their two most recent encounters in the round of 16 of the 2015-2016 Champions League, PSG won both matches with a score of 2-1.

A positive omen for Chelsea is their perfect record in their last five international finals, excluding the UEFA Super Cup. Their most recent victory was a 4-1 triumph over Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final in May. "The Blues" last stumbled over a decade ago, losing 1-0 to Corinthians in their first FIFA Club World Cup appearance in 2012.

At MetLife Stadium today, PSG aims for its first FIFA Club World Cup title, while Chelsea could become the first English team to win the tournament twice. Opta favors PSG, giving them a 64.4% chance of winning and a 42.2% chance of deciding the match within 90 minutes.

Hong Duy (according to Opta)