The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup resumes tomorrow with two thrilling quarterfinal matchups, as four giants of world football face off for a place in the final four. Saudi powerhouse Al Hilal will take on Brazilian side Fluminense in one fixture, while Premier League club Chelsea renews their rivalry with Palmeiras in a repeat of the 2021 final.
Chelsea vs Palmeiras: A Familiar Final Foe
Chelsea‘s clash with Palmeiras rekindles memories of their 2021 Club World Cup showdown. Back then, the Blues edged out the Brazilian side 2-1 in extra time to claim their first-ever title. Now, four years later, the two teams meet again, this time in the quarterfinals.
Palmeiras come into the match in fine form, having impressed in Brazil’s Serie A this season. They earned their spot in the quarterfinals by eliminating their domestic rivals, Botafogo, in the round of 16. Chelsea, on the other hand, has had an up-and-down campaign in the Premier League but looked sharp in their last outing, defeating Benfica 4-1 after extra time.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca will be without suspended midfielder Moisés Caicedo, but sees striker Nicolas Jackson return from suspension. He is expected to start alongside Enzo Fernández, Cole Palmer, and red-hot winger Neto, who has scored in three straight matches.
Palmeiras, however, will be missing two key figures: captain Gustavo Gómez and left-back Joaquín Piquerez, both of whom are suspended. Their absence could seriously impact the team’s balance at both ends of the pitch.
Al Hilal vs Fluminense: The Dark Horses Collide
In the first quarterfinal, Al Hilal face off against Fluminense in what promises to be a high-stakes battle between two underdogs who have already upset the odds.
Al Hilal stunned defending champions Manchester City with a 4-3 victory in extra time in the round of 16, pulling off one of the tournament’s biggest shocks. Managed by Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, the Saudi side has an unbeaten streak of nine matches across all competitions, with six wins and three draws.
With European stars like Kalidou Koulibaly, Rúben Neves, Malcom, Sergej Milinković-Savić, and João Cancelo, Al Hilal are brimming with confidence. Forward Leonardo, who scored twice against City, and goalkeeper Bono, who pulled off several key saves, have both been standout performers.
Fluminense, meanwhile, quietly advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Inter Milan 2-0, a result that surprised many. Coached by veteran manager Renato Gaúcho, the Brazilian side is on a 10-match unbeaten run and relies heavily on its experience. However, their ageing squad, averaging over 30 years old, may find it difficult if the match goes into extra time against a high-tempo Hilal side.
First-Ever Meeting Between Two Finalists
This will be the first-ever meeting between Al Hilal and Fluminense, two clubs that know the pain of falling just short in past Club World Cup finals. Al Hilal were runners-up in 2022, while Fluminense lost last year’s final to Manchester City.
Neither team carries any psychological baggage into this match, which could make for a more open and expressive contest. But in terms of recent performances and tactical sharpness, Al Hilal appear to hold a slight edge. Their confidence is sky-high after battling Real Madrid to a draw and knocking out Manchester City, an indication that they’re ready to go all the way.
With four clubs fighting for just two spots in the semifinals, tomorrow’s matches promise drama, intensity, and moments of magic. Chelsea and Palmeiras will rekindle a modern rivalry, while Al Hilal and Fluminense both look to complete their fairytale runs.
One thing is sure: the road to the Club World Cup final is heating up, and fans around the world won’t want to miss a minute.
