Chelsea captain Reece James had made a bold statement ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final today, July 13

The England international believes the Blues are not pushovers despite all odds favouring the reigning UEFA Champions League winners

Both teams recorded one loss each during their group stage matches and are expected to light up the MetLife Stadium

Reece James is confident Chelsea will surprise doubters when they face Paris Saint-Germain in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final on Sunday, July 13.

The Ligue 1 giants have been labelled favourites to win the tournament, but the England international said the Blues will make a statement when they clash at the MetLife Stadium

The Premier League side outclassed South American side Fluminense by two goals to nothing in the semi-final last Wednesday, July 9.

New signing Joao Pedro, who was on holiday in Brazil, scored a brace for Chelsea against his boyhood club.

I don’t care- James

Chelsea captain Reece James said he is not bothered about the pedigree of Paris Saint-Germain during the Club World Cup.

According to Daily Mail, the 25-year-old said the Blues are preparing to win the tournament for the second time.

The England star emphasised that had had played for a favourite in the final, where they did not eventually win the trophy, adding that the same fate may befall PSG. He said BBC:

“I want to be honest with you, I do not care that everyone is hyping our opponent. The team is preparing right, and Chelsea is going to the final to win.

“As a player, I have been to many finals before where my team were the favourites but we ended up losing.

“PSG are amazing and we’re expecting a tough game, but we also have an amazing team and we’re going to surprise a lot of people.”

Stats on PSG form Paris
Saint-Germain are currently in the best form of their life since Lius Enrique took over as coach.

According to beINSPORTS, PSG have won a treble consisting of the French Cup, Ligue 1 and Champions League, and are a game away from a fourth major trophy of 2025 after dismantling Real Madrid 4-0 in their semi-final last Thursday, July 10.

The French giants have beaten other Premier League sides, Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal, in the Champions League before humbling Inter Milan 5-0 in the final.

Trump confirms presence at CWC final

Check out the complete list of FIFA Club World Cup winners, runners-up, and more.

FIFA Club World Cup Winners

• 2023: Manchester City defeated Fluminense (4–0)
• 2022: Real Madrid defeated Al-Hilal (5–3)
• 2021: Chelsea defeated Palmeiras (2–1 after extra time)
• 2020: Bayern Munich defeated Tigres UANL (1–0)
• 2019: Liverpool defeated Flamengo (1–0 AET)
• 2018: Real Madrid defeated Al-Ain (4–1)
• 2017: Real Madrid defeated Gremio (1–0)
• 2016: Real Madrid defeated Kashima Antlers (4–2 AET)
• 2015: Barcelona defeated River Plate (3–0)
• 2014: Real Madrid defeated San Lorenzo (2–0)
• 2013: Bayern Munich defeated Raja Casablanca (2–0)
• 2012: Corinthians defeated Chelsea (1–0)
• 2011: Barcelona defeated Santos (4–0)
• 2010: Inter Milan defeated TP Mazembe (3–0)
• 2009: Barcelona defeated Estudiantes (2–1 AET)
• 2008: Manchester United defeated LDU Quito (1–0)
• 2007: AC Milan defeated Boca Juniors (4–2)
• 2006: Internacional defeated Barcelona (1–0)
• 2005: São Paulo defeated Liverpool (1–0)
• 2000: Corinthians defeated Vasco da Gama (0–0, 4–3 penalties)

Tournaments were not held from 2001 to 2004.

Who has the most FIFA Club World Cup championships?

Real Madrid has won the most FIFA Club World Cups with five. Below are all the clubs who have won one title or more:

• Real Madrid – 5 titles (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022)
• Barcelona – 3 titles (2009, 2011, 2015)
• Bayern Munich – 2 titles (2013, 2020)
• Corinthians – 2 titles (2000, 2012)
• AC Milan – 1 title (2007)
• Chelsea – 1 title (2021)
• Liverpool – 1 title (2019)
• Internacional – 1 title (2006)
• Inter Milan – 1 title (2010)
• Manchester United – 1 title (2008)
• Manchester City – 1 title (2023)
• São Paulo – 1 title (2005)

Nine-time champions Nigeria, the Super Falcons, will use Sunday’s final group B clash with Algeria’s Lady Fennecs to prepare hard for their quarter-final date with either hosts Morocco or ambitious Zambia – two teams that any team will underrate at their own peril.

The two teams (Morocco and Zambia) were also the ones that rubbed mud into the faces of the Super Falcons at the last edition of the competition, also hosted by Morocco. The hosts accounted for the Falcons in the semi-finals (via penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra time), and the Copper Queens pipped the Falcons 1-0 in the third-place match.

Head Coach Justine Madugu, who was also in the technical crew to that championship, is aware that his charges must be at their best to overcome either the hosts or the Copper Queens, or even Senegal who still have a chance to finish well if they overpower the Lionesses in their group A final-day clash.

“Our commitment has been to take it one game at a time. We believe in our approach, and we will adopt the tactics, pattern and approach that we believe can give us victory in each game. We respect all the teams but fear none.”

Algeria’s lone-goal defeat of Botswana on group B’s Matchday 1, and subsequent draw with Tunisia have taken them to four points, two behind Nigeria, and with a potential quarter-final with any of defending champions South Africa, Mali, Tanzania and Ghana as group C is still delicately poised.

Sunday’s encounter at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca will revive memories of both team’s two friendly matches in Nigeria in the last quarter of last year, during which the Falcons affirmed superiority over the North Africans with 2-0 and 3-1 defeats. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade scored both goals in Ikenne, off long-range rockets, while Folashade Ijamilusi, now based in China and also with the Falcons in Morocco, was the star of the second match at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos with a brace.

Madugu will have to do without USA-based playmaker Deborah Abiodun, who received yellow cards in both matches against Tunisia and Botswana, and must thus sit out this one against the Algerians.

Probables to take her place are the lively Esther Okoronkwo – who swiftly enlivened Nigeria’s previous matches at this tournament on introduction, and has two assists as well as Woman of the Match award from the 3-0 defeat of Tunisia – and the quiet but diligent Jennifer Echegini, who plays her club football in France.

However, Madugu may opt to alter pattern and personnel, and drag the energetic Toni Payne back into the playmaker role, with Ajibade slotted on the wide and with perhaps Francesca Ordega on the left, with the precocious Rinsola Babajide in the central attacking role.

Victory will not only extend the Falcons’ superiority over the Algerians but will sustain the Nigerian girls’ winning mentality (they have not lost a game this year) and set them in great tune for a potentially explosive quarter-final duel on Friday next week.