The FIFA Club World Cup tournament is now entering its final week, with the two semifinal matches scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, leading up to the grand final on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. In the quarterfinals, Chelsea secured a 2-1 victory over Palmeiras, while Fluminense successfully eliminated Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. On the other side of the draw, Paris Saint-Germain is set to face Real Madrid in what is widely considered one of the most anticipated fixtures of the current season. Let`s take a look at all the possible final pairings and rank them according to their potential.
4. Fluminense vs. PSG
The Brazilian side Fluminense has arguably been the biggest surprise of the tournament so far. They managed to overcome Inter Milan in the Round of 16 and then knocked out Al-Hilal in the quarterfinal. Their journey could potentially see them face either PSG or Real Madrid in the final. Paris Saint-Germain are the clear favorites to win the competition, especially after claiming the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League title. A final against Fluminense would likely see Luis Enrique`s team add another trophy to their cabinet this year. This match would also be notable for Fluminense`s veteran center-back Thiago Silva, as he would be playing against the club where he spent the majority of his distinguished career.
3. Fluminense vs. Real Madrid
Should both Real Madrid and Fluminense emerge victorious from their respective semifinals, they would meet in the final. There is a strong connection between Real Madrid and Brazil; former Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti has been appointed as the new head coach of the Brazilian national team, and his son Davide is reportedly in advanced discussions to take over as manager of Botafogo. Furthermore, Real Madrid boasts a wealth of Brazilian talent within their squad, including key players like Vinicius Jr. and Eder Militao. Having finished the previous season without a major trophy, Real Madrid appointed Xabi Alonso as their new manager. The former Bayer Leverkusen coach could potentially begin his tenure at the club by securing silverware in a final where his team would undoubtedly be heavy favorites.
2. Chelsea vs. Real Madrid
A highly enticing final matchup would be between Chelsea and Real Madrid, provided Chelsea defeats Fluminense and Real Madrid overcomes PSG in their semifinals. Enzo Maresca`s Chelsea team has demonstrated solid form throughout the tournament and is considered a strong contender for the title, expected by many to get past the Brazilian side in the semifinal. These two European giants have a competitive history, having faced each other eight times in official matches. Their most recent meeting occurred in the quarterfinals of the 2022-23 Champions League, where the Spanish club advanced with a dominant 4-0 aggregate score.
1. Chelsea vs. PSG
The most captivating potential final would likely be between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. These two prominent clubs have met eight times in their history, with their last encounter taking place in the 2015-16 Champions League Round of 16, which PSG won 4-2 on aggregate. Both teams are recent winners of the UEFA Champions League, possess numerous world-class players, and would undoubtedly deliver a spectacular contest in the tournament`s ultimate match. This pairing represents a clash between a major force from one semifinal and the reigning European champions from the other, promising a thrilling conclusion to the Club World Cup.
