Enzo Maresca will lead "Chelsea" in their Club World Cup 2025 group stage opener against "Los Angeles FC" on Monday, June 16, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The match kicks off at 22:00 local time with Venezuelan referee Jesus Valenzuela officiating.
The London club enters the tournament in good form, having won eight of their last nine matches to close out the 2024/25 season. This impressive run came after "Chelsea" made history by becoming the first club to win all four major UEFA competitions.
"We've secured our Champions League return and won the Conference League in my first season. Now we're focused on adding another global trophy to our cabinet," Maresca might say about his team's ambitions.
"Chelsea" qualified for this competition back in 2021 after winning the Champions League, while "Los Angeles FC" secured their spot in dramatic fashion. The American side only entered after Mexican club Leon was disqualified for multi-club ownership violations, then defeated "America" 2-1 in overtime of a play-in match.
Interestingly, this will be "Chelsea's" third Club World Cup appearance. They lifted the trophy in 2021 and finished as runners-up in 2013 after losing to Brazilian side Corinthians.
Steven Cherundolo's "Los Angeles FC" arrives in excellent form themselves, riding a 10-match unbeaten streak with consistent offensive output – scoring at least two goals in each recent fixture. Currently sitting sixth in the MLS Western Conference, the Californian club has prioritized this international tournament.
The American underdogs boast some serious European pedigree in their ranks. World Cup winners Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud give "LAFC" legitimate threat against top opposition.
To advance from Group D, "Chelsea" will also need to navigate matches against Brazilian giants "Flamengo" and Tunisian champions "Esperance".
Expected lineups:
"Chelsea": Sanchez — James, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Cucurella — Lavia, Enzo — Madueke, Palmer, Neto — Delap
"Los Angeles": Lloris — Palencia, Segura, Marlon, Hollingshead — Tillman, Jesus, Delgado — Yeboa, Giroud, Bouanga
While the London side enters as favorites, could Cherundolo's men spring a surprise in Atlanta? The bookmakers certainly think "LAFC" will at least find the net, offering 1.7 odds on them scoring during the match.
This historic first meeting between these clubs promises to deliver an intriguing clash of continental champions on the global stage.
