Chelsea’s schedule for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has been officially released, following the announcement of their Group D opponents.
The tournament will see the Premier League side, led by manager Enzo Maresca, competing in the United States next summer.
Chelsea earned their place in the expanded 32-team competition by winning the 2021 UEFA Champions League.
The Blues claimed a memorable victory over Manchester City in the final, held in Porto.
Their participation in this prestigious event comes with significant financial incentives, as FIFA’s lucrative broadcasting deal with DAZN could see Chelsea pocket up to £60 million in participation fees, according to The Daily Mail.
Reflecting on the upcoming challenge, Maresca expressed awareness of the demanding schedule his team will face.
“As I’ve said before, and others have also noted, there are just so many matches to play,” he remarked.
“We’ll evaluate things more closely as we approach May, June, or July and prepare accordingly for the tournament.”
Discussing the group stage draw, Maresca provided further insight into his approach, admitting that the specifics of Chelsea’s strategy and match preparation are yet to be finalized.
“I know the teams we’ll face in the group stage, but as of now, I have no clarity on the specifics—such as who will play, how we’ll start, or the strategy for the games,” he stated.
“That will all become clearer closer to the time. At the moment, I only know the group opponents; beyond that, I have no details.”
Chelsea’s group stage draw has placed them in Group D, where they will face Flamengo, Club León, and Esperance Sportive de Tunis.
These matches are expected to provide a stern test for the London club as they look to add another trophy to their collection.
This will not be Chelsea’s first appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup.
The team previously lifted the trophy in February 2022 under the leadership of then-manager Thomas Tuchel, securing their status as world champions after defeating Palmeiras in the final.
Chelsea’s preparation for the 2025 edition will undoubtedly require careful management, given the congested fixture schedule that modern football entails.
As the tournament draws closer, Maresca and his staff will focus on assembling a competitive squad capable of contending with some of the best teams from around the globe.
The Club World Cup offers Chelsea a chance to showcase their quality on the international stage once again and potentially secure substantial financial rewards, further cementing their reputation as one of the elite clubs in world football.
