FIFA’s new 32-team format concludes in East Rutherford. Infantino hails a global success. Mutual respect between Luis Enrique and Maresca. Iranian referee Faghani to officiate.
The day of reckoning has arrived. The MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford will host the grand final of the first-ever 32-team Club World Cup this afternoon (local time), evening in Europe. Facing off are Chelsea, led by Enzo Maresca, and Paris Saint-Germain, coached by Luis Enrique—two clubs that have had remarkable seasons. The build-up to the final was marked by comments from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, criticism about the heat, and reflections from both managers and captains. Refereeing the final will be experienced Iranian official Alireza Faghani.
Infantino: “A historic success for football”
Speaking at the pre-final press conference, FIFA President Gianni Infantino painted a glowing picture of the expanded tournament.
“It’s been a huge, huge, huge success. The golden era of football has begun,” said the FIFA chief, also highlighting the strong attendance figures: “People said fans wouldn’t show up, but we averaged 40,000 spectators per match.”
In truth, attendance figures and the authenticity of fan engagement during the tournament have been the subject of controversy, as documented by ilNewyorkese and SMIT in a joint article dated July 7, 2025.
Infantino also touted the tournament’s financial performance: “We generated $2.1 billion in revenue, 90% of which went back into the football ecosystem—not just to the clubs involved. No other club tournament even comes close to these numbers.”
He addressed criticism over the format and the absence of major clubs: “Of course I would have liked to see Liverpool, Napoli, Milan, Arsenal. But there are clear qualification rules. If they’re not here, it’s because they didn’t qualify.”
Looking ahead, he also acknowledged the heat issue: “Football must respect players and adopt a more rational calendar. And yes, it’s too hot—next year’s World Cup in the U.S. will use enclosed stadiums to address this.”
Fernández: “The heat is unbearable, it’s dangerous to play like this”
Speaking of the heat, Chelsea midfielder and World Cup winner Enzo Fernández voiced serious concern about the conditions expected for the final, scheduled for 3 p.m. local time.
“Playing at this hour is very dangerous. The other day against Fluminense I felt dizzy, I had to sit down on the pitch. The heat is unreal.”
The Argentine also warned that the spectacle could suffer: “Fans in the stadium and watching from home won’t see the same intensity. Everything slows down. I hope the time is changed for future editions.”
Luis Enrique: “We’ve got 11 stars, but Chelsea deserve respect”
With four trophies already this season—Ligue 1, the French Cup, the French Super Cup, and the Champions League—PSG come into the final looking to cap off a perfect year. But head coach Luis Enrique struck a cautious tone in his press conference:
“It won’t be a walk in the park. Chelsea have a great squad and Maresca is doing an excellent job. I have a lot of respect for them.”
He also emphasized the collective identity that has emerged at PSG even after the departures of their big-name stars: “We’ve got eleven stars—actually, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen. Our strength is the team. We’ll lose eventually, but the path is clear: we want fans to identify with the group.”
His message was echoed by captain Marquinhos:
“This is a golden opportunity. The Club World Cup is held every four years—we don’t know where we’ll be next time.”
Maresca: “PSG are the benchmark, but we’re here to win”
On the other side, Enzo Maresca has led Chelsea through a revival season, finishing fourth in the Premier League and lifting the Conference League trophy. Now comes the biggest prize:
“PSG are probably the best team in Europe and in the world. But we’ll prepare for this match just like any other. We’re here to give everything.”
The Italian manager highlighted how far the Blues have come:
“A year ago, no one was talking about us. Now we’re in a Club World Cup final. That’s the greatest reward.”
Faghani to officiate the final: a return to the global stage
Refereeing the final will be Alireza Faghani, born in Iran in 1978 and now based in Australia. Faghani previously officiated the 2015 Club World Cup final, also involving Luis Enrique, who then led Barcelona to victory over River Plate.
With a past as a player, Faghani is considered one of Pierluigi Collina’s most trusted referees—praised for his personality and on-field communication. This assignment marks something of a redemption after he was passed over for the 2022 World Cup final. Faghani also officiated the tournament opener between Inter Miami and Al Ahly. Marquinhos knows him well: he was in charge of the Olympic final in Rio 2016, which Brazil won.
There’s also a noteworthy political dimension to this appointment: amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran, naming an Iranian referee for a Club World Cup final staged just outside New York carries symbolic weight. Sports—and football in particular—have long served as a vehicle for political, cultural, and social messages. As reported on these pages on July 11 none other than U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend the final at MetLife Stadium.
L’articolo Club World Cup Final: Chelsea vs PSG for the Title proviene da Soccer Made In Italy.
