Football | Chelsea v LAFC preview

Chelsea are about to begin their 2025 Club World Cup campaign

They will face LAFC in Atlanta

Author | Lewis W

The stadium that will be hosting Chelsea's first match in the United States

After arriving at their Philadelphia base in the United States on Friday, Chelsea named an initial 28-man squad for the competition. Enzo Maresca's side are targeting more silverware following their triumph in the Conference League last month.

New signings Liam Delap, Mamadou Sarr, and Dario Essugo may make their first appearances for the club after joining Chelsea this summer.

How are Chelsea looking going into the competition?

Since lifting Europe’s most prestigious club trophy in 2021, Chelsea have added another milestone to their continental record by becoming the first side to win all four major UEFA competitions: the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League and Super Cup.

A commanding 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the Conference League final provided a fitting conclusion to a campaign that will be remembered as a triumph for Enzo Maresca in his debut season at the helm. The Italian guided Chelsea back into the Champions League and may have exceeded expectations with the team’s strong finish.

READ MORE | Club World Cup Preview

The Blues ended the 2024–25 season with eight wins from their final nine matches across all competitions, offering ideal momentum as they prepare for a third appearance at the Club World Cup. From their two previous outings in the tournament, Chelsea have one title to their name.

They claimed a previous edition of the trophy in 2022 by defeating Palmeiras in extra time, while their first appearance in 2013 ended in disappointment as they finished runners-up to Corinthians.

A closer look at the opposition

The most familiar name for Chelsea supporters is undoubtedly Olivier Giroud. The French striker spent four seasons at Stamford Bridge between 2017 and 2021, scoring 39 goals and helping the club to three major trophies: the FA Cup, the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League. They will be well aware of Giroud’s enduring threat in the box, whether leading the line from the start or making an impact off the bench. 

Their current goakeeper is Hugo Lloris, another player with Premier League experience. The French shot stopper played 447 appearances in twelve years at Tottenham Hotspur. 

Their current talisman though is Dénis Bouanga, who has been directly involved in 18 goals from 22 appearances across all competitions this season.