This opening match brings together the Europa Conference League champions and the US Open Cup holders, each arriving at the tournament through very different paths. Chelsea booked their place by winning the 2020–21 Champions League, and since then, they’ve made history by becoming the first club to win all four major UEFA trophies: the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, and Super Cup.
Their most recent European success came with a convincing 4–1 victory over Real Betis in the Conference League final, capping off a strong debut season under manager Enzo Maresca. He not only exceeded early expectations but also returned the club to Champions League football.
Chelsea ended the 2024–25 season with eight wins from their last nine matches, setting them up nicely for their third Club World Cup appearance. They won the tournament in 2021–22 by defeating Palmeiras in extra time but finished as runners-up in 2013 after losing to Corinthians.
To make it out of Group D this time, they’ll have to get past Flamengo, another Brazilian powerhouse, and Tunisian side Esperance de Tunis, who are aiming to upset the favorites.
LAFC weren’t originally expected to be part of this tournament. They got their shot only after Mexican club Leon, winners of the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League, were disqualified due to FIFA’s multi-club ownership rules. LAFC then beat Club America 2–1 in extra time in a last-minute play-in match to claim the final spot in the 32-team tournament.
Now entering their first-ever Club World Cup, LAFC arrive in strong form. A 3–1 win over Sporting Kansas City on June 9 extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games across all competitions, with at least two goals scored in each of those matches.
Despite still trailing Vancouver Whitecaps by nine points in the MLS Western Conference, LAFC have clearly built momentum, though the challenge ahead in Atlanta is unlike anything they’ve faced this season.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Chelsea’s 28-man squad for the Club World Cup includes new signings Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr, all of whom will be hoping to make their debuts as head coach Enzo Maresca looks to rotate his lineup throughout the summer.Key players like Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are all part of the group and are expected to play important roles. However, defender Wesley Fofana remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Ukrainian winger Mykhaylo Mudryk is still serving a provisional doping suspension and won’t be available, while goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has been left out of the squad as he looks to secure a move away during the transfer window.
On the other side, LAFC’s squad is led by former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud, who, at 38, continues to make an impact. He scored his team’s third goal in their recent win over Sporting Kansas City.
Celtic loanee Odin Holm is also in the mix for the Black and Gold, but the Norwegian midfielder has been dealing with a leg injury and isn’t expected to be involved in the opening match.
POSSIBLE LINEUPS
Chelsea possible starting lineup:Penders; James, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Cucurella; Lavia, Essugo; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Delap
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Palencia, Segura, Marlon, Hollingshead; Tillman, Jesus, Delgado; Yeboah, Giroud, Bouanga
EXPERT PREDICTION
Chelsea 3-1 Los Angeles FC
That said, with several new signings eager to impress, Chelsea look well-equipped to make a strong start. They may not keep a clean sheet against an in-form LAFC attack, but they still seem the favorites to kick things off with a win.
