Bhubaneswar : Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in New Jersey to lift the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup title, ending a tournament designed as a test run for FIFA ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The first 32-team edition of the Club World Cup saw global clubs clash across the U.S. in packed stadiums. While the tournament delivered excitement on the field, it exposed serious challenges off it — including intense scheduling, travel demands, and clear gaps in competitive balance.
Chelsea, led by Enzo Maresca, bounced back from a rocky group stage and went on a dominant run, beating Palmeiras, Fluminense, and finally PSG in the final. Cole Palmer was named the final’s MVP, while Chelsea took home $40 million in prize money.
The tournament offered a glimpse of football’s expanding future but also gave FIFA a reality check ahead of next summer’s even bigger World Cup.
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