If you were looking for the standard national team World Cup in 2025, you probably realized pretty quickly that the schedule looked a little... different. We didn't see Argentina or France duking it out for a gold trophy. Instead, the football world shifted its gaze to the United States for a massive, revamped experiment.
The big answer you're looking for? Chelsea won the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. They didn't just win; they dominated. In a clinical 3-0 performance at MetLife Stadium, the London side brushed aside Paris Saint-Germain to claim the first-ever title of this expanded 32-team format. It was a weird summer, honestly. We saw matches in Nashville, Cincinnati, and Philadelphia, places that usually don't host the giants of European and South American football all at once.
Chelsea vs. PSG: What Happened in the Final?
The final was held on July 13, 2025. MetLife Stadium was packed—nearly 80,000 people. You might have seen the clips of Donald Trump in the stands, which added a bizarre layer of spectacle to the whole thing.
Chelsea basically settled the game before the halftime snacks were even served. Cole Palmer was the man of the hour. He bagged two goals in the first 30 minutes, looking like he was playing in his backyard rather than a global final. Joao Pedro added a third just before the break. PSG, led by Luis Enrique, looked shell-shocked. They had plenty of the ball, but they couldn't do a thing with it.
Things got ugly toward the end. Joao Neves saw red in the 84th minute for a bizarre incident involving Marc Cucurella’s hair. It was a frustrating night for the Parisians, who are still hunting for that elusive top-tier global trophy.
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Why the 2025 Winner Matters
This wasn't the old Club World Cup. You remember the old one—that week-long tournament in December where the European champion usually showed up, played two games, and flew home with a trophy.
This was a month-long marathon. 32 teams. 63 matches.
By the time Chelsea lifted the trophy—a shiny 24-karat gold piece designed by Tiffany & Co.—they had navigated a group stage and four knockout rounds. They beat the likes of Real Madrid and Flamengo along the way. It felt more like a Champions League on steroids than a friendly exhibition.
Who Won FIFA World Cup 2025 in Other Formats?
Soccer isn't just played on grass with 11 people. If you’re a fan of the more niche stuff, 2025 had another major world champion crowned.
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Brazil won the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025.
This happened in the Seychelles back in May. It was the first time Africa hosted the tournament, and the atmosphere at Paradise Arena was incredible. Brazil beat Belarus 4-3 in a final that went right down to the wire. Rodrigo, the Brazilian captain, scored the winner with about 100 seconds left on the clock. It was Brazil’s seventh title. Seven. They are basically untouchable on the sand.
The Big Confusion: Club vs. National Teams
Let’s clear something up because it trips everyone up.
There was no "FIFA World Cup" in 2025 for national teams (like the USMNT, England, or Argentina). That happens every four years. The last one was Qatar 2022 (won by Argentina), and the next one is 2026.
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FIFA decided to fill the "empty" summer of 2025 with this massive Club World Cup. It was a polarizing move. Managers like Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti complained about the player workload. Honestly, you can't blame them. Some of these players had been playing non-stop for eighteen months.
Despite the drama, the tournament drew over 2.4 million fans. It was a financial juggernaut, distributing roughly $1 billion in prize money.
Key Standouts from the 2025 Tournament
- Cole Palmer (Chelsea): Won the Golden Ball. He finished the tournament with five goals and was the creative engine for Enzo Maresca’s side.
- Ángel Di María (Benfica): Even at his age, the man was a menace. He finished as one of the joint top scorers with 4 goals.
- Inter Miami CF: Messi and company made the group stages, but they couldn't get past the Round of 16. Still, having Messi playing competitive FIFA matches in Atlanta and Miami was a massive draw for the local crowds.
- Mamelodi Sundowns: The South African side was a huge surprise, playing some of the most attractive football in the group stages before getting knocked out.
What’s Next for FIFA Tournaments?
Now that Chelsea has been crowned the king of clubs, the focus shifts entirely to the big one: FIFA World Cup 2026.
The 2025 event was basically a "stress test" for the US venues. We saw games in Lincoln Financial Field and the Rose Bowl, giving organizers a chance to see how the turf and transit systems handled the pressure.
If you want to keep up with how the landscape is changing, here is what you should do next:
- Check the 2026 Qualifiers: The national team cycles are in full swing. Keep an eye on the CONMEBOL standings, as the race for spots behind Argentina is getting tight.
- Watch the Intercontinental Cup: Since the Club World Cup is now quadrennial, FIFA introduced a smaller annual Intercontinental Cup for the years in between.
- Monitor Player Fatigue: With the new UEFA Champions League format and this expanded Club World Cup, the "player strike" talk isn't going away. Watch how the big clubs rotate their squads in the coming months.
Chelsea might be the world champions for now, but the football calendar never actually stops.