On July 8, 2025, at 4:00 PM (Brasília time), Chelsea and Fluminense face off at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinal. The match, determining the first finalist, pits the injury-hit English club against the sole Brazilian representative, unbeaten in the tournament. Chelsea’s coach Enzo Maresca reshuffles the lineup to cover for absentees Liam Delap, Levi Colwill, and Romeo Lavia, while Fluminense, led by Renato Gaúcho, aims to maintain their collective strength. Broadcast on Globo, SporTV, CazéTV, DAZN, and Disney+, the game promises balance and intensity.
Chelsea reaches the semifinal after defeating Palmeiras 2-1, with Cole Palmer shining. However, absences force Maresca to reconfigure key sectors. Fluminense, having ousted Inter Milan and Al-Hilal, relies on a stout defense and the experience of former Chelsea star Thiago Silva.
- Chelsea’s challenges:
- Three confirmed absences: Delap, Colwill, and Lavia.
- Choice between João Pedro and Nicolas Jackson up top.
- Reece James’ return as a strategic asset.
The match carries historical weight: Chelsea, defeated by Corinthians in 2012, faces their third Brazilian club in the competition, while Fluminense aims to emulate South American success.
Absences shape strategy
Chelsea heads into the semifinal with absences that significantly impact their lineup. Liam Delap, suspended after a red card against Palmeiras, leaves a gap in attack. Levi Colwill, also suspended, weakens the defense, and Romeo Lavia, injured, depletes the midfield. Additionally, Benoit Badiashile, injured against Benfica, is unavailable. These absences push Maresca to find creative solutions to remain competitive against Fluminense.
During training in New Jersey, Maresca tested formations to adjust the squad. Colwill’s absence paves the way for Tosin Adarabioyo, who will pair with Trevoh Chalobah in central defense. Adarabioyo, a starter against Esperánce, scored once but lacks rhythm in high-stakes matches, raising concerns.
Probable Chelsea lineup
Based on training and Maresca’s statements, Chelsea is likely to field: Petrovic; Malo Gusto, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, Cucurella; Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo; Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Nkunku; João Pedro. This setup balances defensive solidity with attacking flair, with Palmer and Neto exploiting the flanks.
- Likely starters:
- Goalkeeper: Djordje Petrovic, established as the first-choice in the tournament.
- Midfield: Fernández and Caicedo, with freedom to support the attack.
- Attack: João Pedro, favored to replace Delap, alongside Palmer and Neto.
Opting for João Pedro, a former Fluminense player, over Nicolas Jackson is Maresca’s bet on speed and familiarity with the opponent. Jackson, who scored in the Conference League final, is likely to come off the bench to change the game’s tempo.
Reece James’ return
A boost for Chelsea is Reece James’ recovery from an injury sustained during warm-ups against Palmeiras. The right-back, known for his versatility, could play as a makeshift midfielder, an option Maresca tested in training. If James moves to midfield, Malo Gusto stays at right-back, ensuring width on the flank.
James, with only 20 minutes played in the tournament, brings leadership and passing quality. His presence is key to countering Fluminense’s fast breaks, led by Jhon Arias and Germán Cano.
Bench options
Chelsea’s squad is stretched thin due to absences. Maresca’s bench includes Nicolas Jackson, Andrey Santos, Noni Madueke, and Essugo. Madueke, reportedly on the transfer list, could be an offensive spark off the bench, while Santos, a young Brazilian, adds energy in midfield.
Essugo, a 2026 signing, is a long-term prospect but lacks experience for a match of this magnitude. The lack of depth is a concern, especially against a Fluminense side with effective rotation.
Defensive impact of absences
Colwill’s absence, as a defensive cornerstone, is a significant blow. A starter in every Club World Cup match, he provided stability and ball-playing ability. Tosin Adarabioyo, his replacement, lacks chemistry with Chalobah, which Fluminense could exploit with quick moves.
Malo Gusto, at right-back, faces the task of marking Arias, a Fluminense standout. Cucurella, on the left, will deal with Guga or Samuel Xavier, who frequently support the attack. Chelsea’s defense, which conceded in three of four tournament games, needs heightened focus.
Midfield: The game’s key
In midfield, Moisés Caicedo, back from suspension, pairs with Enzo Fernández. Caicedo, a standout against Benfica, is crucial to neutralizing Fluminense’s Nonato and Fuentes. Fernández will link defense to attack, feeding Palmer and Nkunku.
Maresca is weighing a more attacking setup with Reece James in midfield, which would mean dropping Nkunku or Pedro Neto. The final choice hinges on balancing control and aggression.
Revamped attack
Without Delap, Chelsea’s attack hinges on Cole Palmer, the team’s top scorer in the tournament with two goals. Palmer, who netted a stunner against Palmeiras, is the main threat to Fluminense’s Thiago Silva and Ignácio. Pedro Neto, on the left, brings pace, while João Pedro, in the center, faces the pressure of starting against his former club.
- Offensive highlights:
- Cole Palmer: 2 goals and 1 assist in the tournament.
- Pedro Neto: 1 goal and flank speed.
- João Pedro: Starting debut with a key assist against Palmeiras.
Fluminense: A formidable foe
Fluminense, despite their own absences (Freytes and Martinelli, suspended, and Samuel Xavier, doubtful), is a dangerous opponent. Renato Gaúcho is likely to field: Fábio; Guga, Ignácio, Thiago Silva, Thiago Santos; Hércules, Bernal, Nonato, Fuentes; Arias, Cano. Their defense, the second-best in the tournament, has conceded only three goals, and Cano, with three goals, is a constant threat.
Match context
The clash pits Chelsea’s European pedigree against Fluminense’s South American grit. The Blues, with $408.13 million in prize money, chase a second world title, while Fluminense, with $329.4 million, dreams of their first. The semifinal also marks Thiago Silva’s reunion with Chelsea, where he was a fan favorite for four years.
Tickets and atmosphere
FIFA slashed ticket prices from $473.90 to $13.40 (R$72.61), ensuring a fuller MetLife Stadium. Fluminense’s fans, who packed Orlando’s streets, will rally behind the team, while Chelsea’s smaller contingent banks on their European edge.
Despite absences, Chelsea has the quality to impose their game, but defensive disarray and Fluminense’s pressure could level the playing field. Maresca, who praised the Tricolor’s intensity, knows the chosen lineup will be pivotal to reaching the final. The semifinal, with its tales of resilience and continental rivalry, has the football world on edge.