On Sunday, the FIFA Club World Cup final will be held at MetLife Stadium, where Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea will compete for the distinction of being the inaugural winners of the 32-team tournament.
Following a month-long competition in the United States, which has been occasionally overshadowed by low attendance, weather-related delays, extreme heat, and player concerns regarding burnout, either the UEFA Champions League champions PSG or the Premier League giants Chelsea will emerge as world champions this weekend.
Luis Enrique’s PSG have already secured Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Champions League this year. Conversely, Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea aspires to become the first club to win all major honors, having completed the European set with their UEFA Conference League victory in May. Consequently, the outcome of the match at MetLife Stadium remains uncertain, and it is essential to identify the players who will be pivotal in determining the victor on Sunday.
Eagle-eyed fans at MetLife Stadium may have noticed a stage being built in the sky.
As football teams battled it out on the pitch below, this curious platform took shape over the last few weeks at the New Jersey venue for the Club World Cup final.
Its podium-like shape led to speculation about whether it would be where Chelsea or Paris Saint-Germain would be crowned world champions, but FIFA confirmed it would be the halftime show.
J Balvin, Doja Cat, Tems, and Emmanuel Kelly will perform on the high stage in the nose-bleed sections of the stadium, making history as the first FIFA tournament to include a halftime show.
Paris St. Germain manager Luis Enrique stressed the importance of collective team ethic over individual brilliance in his side’s resurgence, as they face Chelsea in Sunday’s Club World Cup final.
The French and European champions, seeking their first Club World Cup title, are chasing their historic Champions League triumph from a month ago.
How did Paris Saint-Germain achieve this?
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has emerged as the standout team in the Club World Cup, securing victories against formidable European rivals Atlético Madrid (4-0), Bayern Munich (2-0), and Real Madrid (4-0) to advance to the final. However, their invincibility has been challenged.
A 1-0 defeat against Copa Libertadores champions Botafogo in the group stage underscored PSG’s vulnerability. While Luis Enrique may attribute this outcome to the absence of key players Ousmane Dembélé, João Neves, Fabián Ruiz, and Marquinhos, PSG’s consistent performance in the Champions League throughout the four-year qualification period for the Club World Cup secured their qualification.
Their Champions League final triumph against Inter Milan in May further solidified their status as the formidable team to be reckoned with in the United States. PSG has consistently met these expectations, and Luis Enrique demonstrated tactical acumen by substituting Dembélé, Ruiz, Désiré Doué, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the second half of the semifinal victory against Real Madrid to preserve their energy for the final.
How did Chelsea manage to get here?
Chelsea required a victory in their final group match against Esperance Sportive de Tunis to advance to the knockout stages, following a 3-1 defeat against Flamengo that jeopardized their progression. However, since reaching the round of 16, Chelsea have experienced favorable circumstances, progressing through the tournament with a relatively straightforward route to the final.
Bayern Munich’s unexpected group-stage loss to Benfica eliminated Chelsea from the Bundesliga competition and placed them in the round of 16, where they ultimately emerged victorious with a 4-1 scoreline after extra time in Charlotte, North Carolina. Subsequently, Chelsea defeated Brazilian teams Palmeiras (2-1) and Fluminense (2-0) to secure a final match against Paris Saint-Germain.
Chelsea’s qualification for the Club World Cup was secured through their Champions League victory in 2021, which commenced the four-year qualification period. However, their absence from Europe’s top club competition for the past two years underscores how the Stamford Bridge team gained entry into the tournament through their accomplishments under a different managerial team and ownership group four years ago.
Eagle-eyed fans at MetLife Stadium
Global Citizen, a partner of FIFA, is leading the halftime show with Coldplay’s Chris Martin. On Friday, the organization disclosed additional details to U.S. magazine ‘Rolling Stone’. The collaboration has resulted in a high-tech stage constructed in the upper stands, designed to minimize the risk of damaging the pitch during the halftime performance of a significant game. The stage is equipped with 40,000 pounds of gear, scenery, and structural trusses. According to Global Citizen, the delivery of this material to the venue required the assistance of six semi-trucks. The stage itself comprises 4,000 feet of pipe bracing and LED displays featuring nearly 16 million pixels.
“By constructing our platform elevated in the stands, we ensured that the newly installed natural grass remained undisturbed while delivering an unforgettable spectacle that is meticulously designed to be both time-efficient and visually captivating,” stated Hugh Evans, Global Citizen’s chief executive, in an interview with ‘Rolling Stone’.
The 15-minute halftime show represents an intriguing addition to FIFA’s tournament schedule, but it aligns with the organization’s overarching objective of expanding and developing this revamped competition to its fullest potential. Halftime shows are more prevalent in American sports than in European soccer, with the NFL’s Super Bowl spectaculars serving as a prominent illustration of their potential.
Although FIFA has not previously hosted a halftime performance, South American equivalent Conmebol took a risk by inviting Shakira to debut in Copa América’s inaugural halftime show at its final in Miami, Florida. This decision was met with open criticism due to the extended break it would impose on the players, as staff would need to set up and dismantle the stage before the match could resume.
It remains to be seen whether there will be any objections now that FIFA is responsible for a similar performance or if the elaborate staging at MetLife will alleviate any of these potential concerns.
From the perspective of foreign executives, the United States has successfully integrated sport with entertainment in a manner unparalleled globally. This phenomenon has attracted numerous soccer tournaments to the U.S. in recent years, and next year’s World Cup, co-hosted with Canada and Mexico, fully embraces this integration through subtle yet significant elements, such as a halftime show.
significant transformation at PSG
Luis Enrique has overseen a substantial transformation at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), replacing departing stars Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappe with a dynamic and youthful squad that embodies his comprehensive football philosophy.
Addressing a press conference at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the Spanish coach downplayed suggestions that he is the team’s central figure, instead attributing the players’ shared commitment to a common objective.
“I am not a star… I enjoy my work. I appreciate my career, particularly during challenging periods,” Luis Enrique stated. “When things are not progressing favorably, I feel more positive. It is gratifying when everything goes well because the most fulfilling aspect of winning is bringing joy to the supporters.” He has found greater resilience when facing criticism than when receiving praise.
The pre-match preparations consist of three distinct phases.
In the lead-up to the final match, the event will feature a countdown to the momentous occasion. Subsequently, FIFA’s music ambassador, Robbie Williams, will collaborate with Laura Pausini to perform a rendition of the iconic song “Desire.”
A poignant tribute to the tournament hosts will be presented, culminating in the performance of the U.S. national anthem. A military color guard will execute a mesmerizing display, followed by a dramatic flyover and dazzling pyrotechnics, as described by FIFA, designed to captivate the stadium’s audience.
This spectacle is particularly fitting considering the recent attendance announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has expressed his intention to attend the final match. Notably, he has jokingly suggested that he would be “delivering” the trophy to the event after its recent visit to the White House in Washington, D.C.
The halftime show remains an enigma, with details such as the performers’ stage presence and potential collaborations, such as a performance reminiscent of Lady Gaga’s electrifying exit during the 2017 Super Bowl in Houston, Texas, still undisclosed.
PSG’s upcoming match against Chelsea is anticipated to be a captivating encounter, as both teams strive to enhance their international accolades. The Parisians will endeavor to conclude a remarkable year by securing their first-ever Club World Cup victory.