The stage is set for a titanic clash between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain as the two European powerhouses meet in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Hosted at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, this groundbreaking edition of the tournament has thrilled fans across the globe, marking a bold new era for club football with 32 teams, massive prize money, and record-breaking viewership. But with all eyes on the final this Sunday, one intriguing question lingers in the air: Will the winner of this final automatically book their ticket to the next edition in 2029?
Chelsea‘s journey to the final has been a tale of resilience and resurgence. Despite finishing second in Group D, the Blues came alive in the knockout stages. They overwhelmed Benfica 4-1 in the Round of 16, survived a tight 2-1 win over Palmeiras in the quarterfinals, and secured a confident 2-0 victory over Fluminense in the semis.
A surprise name emerged as Chelsea’s talisman: Joao Pedro. The young Brazilian, once on vacation just weeks ago, became the tournament’s breakout star with a stunning brace against his former club in the semifinal. Under Enzo Maresca’s guidance, Chelsea are peaking at the right time—and they have their sights set on glory.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain has bulldozed its way through the competition. Topping Group B, the Parisians steamrolled Inter Miami 4-0, handled Bayern Munich 2-0 despite being down to nine men, and humiliated Real Madrid 4-0 in a breathtaking semifinal.
With a galaxy of stars and the tactical brain of Luis Enrique, PSG looks like the team to beat. Key players like Ousmane Dembele have been in dazzling form, with the Frenchman netting crucial goals in both the quarterfinal and semifinal.
The perks of victory
Whoever triumphs on Sunday, the rewards are immense. The winning club will pocket a massive $125 million prize, with $40 million awarded just for winning the final. This places the Club World Cup among the richest prizes in football, rivalling the UEFA Champions League.
In addition to the financial windfall, the champion will earn the right to wear the FIFA World Champions badge on their shirts—not just for a year, as in past editions, but for four full seasons. It’s a literal and symbolic stamp of global supremacy.
What about 2029?
Now to the big question: Will the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup winner automatically qualify for the 2029 edition?
No, the winner will not automatically qualify. Unlike past formats where continental champions were assured a spot, the revamped tournament’s next edition will be based largely on coefficient rankings accumulated over a four-year period.
However, winning the 2025 title gives a significant boost. With ranking points factored in from this tournament and other elite competitions like the Champions League, success in the final will place either Chelsea or PSG in a strong position for 2029—especially if they fail to win another Champions League during that window.
“If teams want to be on course for the next FIFA Club World Cup in 2029, it’s all about coefficient rankings,” FIFA explained. “A win in the final will only boost their place and make it more likely to be part of the tournament next time around.”
