The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States has proven to be more than just the trial of a new format – it’s a redefining moment in the global football calendar. Featuring 32 teams from across every confederation, the tournament has transformed into a true global event, drawing the attention of football fans across continents.
As July heats up, the field has narrowed to four clubs: Chelsea, Fluminense, PSG and Real Madrid. What remains is a semi-final lineup that has thrown up some surprises, and a final just days away that could produce one of the most prestigious moments in club football history.
For Irish fans who have long followed the English and Spanish giants with fervour, and for a wider global audience intrigued by the rise of South American contenders, the stakes could not be higher. The Club World Cup is here to stay, and it has proven that teams from across the globe can compete, which is why many fans have been keen to tune in and watch new sides.
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Key matchups to watch
The first semi-final sees Chelsea face Fluminense in what may seem, on the surface, an intriguing clash of European might and South American ingenuity. However, this fixture runs deeper than narrative tropes. Chelsea have grown into the tournament, responding well to squad rotation and the pressure of expectations.
Their path to the last four has included professional wins against LAFC, Espérance Sportive de Tunis and, more recently, Palmeiras in the quarter-finals. A huge plus for Enzo Maresca’s side is the return of Ecuadorian international Moisés Caicedo, who was suspended for the quarter-final. His presence in midfield will allow Enzo Fernández greater licence to influence the game higher up the pitch.
Fluminense arrive in the semi-final after a gutsy 2-1 win over Al Hilal, but they also head into this clash significantly weakened. Matheus Martinelli, who scored the opener against the Saudi club, is suspended after accumulating two yellow cards, ruling him out of the semi-final. It’s a massive blow to a side already struggling with depth. More troubling still is the suspension of centre-back Juan Pablo Freytes, who has been one of Fluminense’s most consistent defensive figures throughout the tournament.
Renato Gaúcho has crafted a Fluminense side that plays with intelligence and rhythm, adopting a tactical identity that blends a low defensive block with Brazilian improvisation. However, without Martinelli’s outlet and Freytes’ stability at the back, their balance could be severely disrupted.
Whether players such as Jhon Arias or Hercules can once again rise to the occasion remains a crucial question. However, at the back, former Chelsea defender Thiago Silva looks set to be a difficult player to beat. The former Brazilian captain continues to perform at a high level despite turning 40, and he will be the man to rally his troops and look to get his team over the line once more.
For Chelsea, Cole Palmer continues to be the focal point of the attack. His vision, off-ball movement, and knack for finding pockets of space between the lines have been instrumental in the Blues’ progression. He’ll likely test a depleted Fluminense back line that will now need reshuffling – and will be looking to add to the goal he scored against Palmeiras.
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Over in the other semi-final, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid meet in a tie that feels loaded with Champions League energy. PSG, riding high from their historic European triumph just weeks ago, entered this tournament with purpose. Luis Enrique has managed to get the best out of a side that now looks more like a cohesive team than a vehicle for individual stars.
The PSG machine is working due to everyone pulling together. The midfield partnership of Fabián Ruiz and João Neves is one of the best combinations in world football, and they have both continued their Champions League form in this new-look competition.
Yet they have been complemented impressively by Vitinha, whose performances in a deeper role have been arguably even more important. The Portuguese midfielder has controlled the tempo and broken up opposition play, but he has also been responsible for carrying the ball into dangerous zones.
However, it’s important to note that PSG will be without centre-back Willian Pacho for this crucial fixture after his sending off against Bayern Munich. Lucas Hernández was also sent off, and he will also have to watch on from the stands. While the absence of Pacho will affect their defensive shape, the French champions do have Brazilian Lucas Beraldo to call upon.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, have their own suspension to worry about. That’s because new signing Dean Huijsen was sent off in the final minutes against Dortmund in the quarter final. The former Bournemouth centre-back will have to watch from the stands and hope that his team can progress to the final where he will be able to feature.
However, Los Blancos are not without hope. Jude Bellingham remains Madrid’s heartbeat. His leadership, poise and attacking threat have carried the team through moments of struggle, and he’ll need another signature performance against a PSG midfield that has played with control and maturity.
They do, however, have a new young striker who has stepped up from their reserve side. Gonzalo García may only be 21, but the Spaniard has scored four in five matches, including a brace last time out against Dortmund. He’s likely to lead the line once more.
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Our prediction for the semi-finals
Tonybet’s odds reflect the fine margins that separate the four remaining sides. PSG are slight favourites to progress at 13/10, with Real Madrid the outsiders for the first time at 17/10. The bookmakers’ view suggests that this could be decided by a single moment – a piece of brilliance, a lapse in concentration, a penalty.
In the other semi-final, Chelsea are backed as firm favourites at 7/10, with Fluminense’s chances lengthened at 17/4. This comes down largely to the suspensions affecting the Brazilian side and the return of Caicedo, who adds steel and structure to Chelsea’s midfield.
Fluminense will play with freedom, but Chelsea’s superior squad depth and tactical flexibility should give them the edge. Enzo Maresca, who has tournament experience having lifted the Conference League in May, appears to have found a balance in his side at just the right moment.
The PSG-Real Madrid encounter is harder to call. Both sides possess firepower, tactical flexibility and individual match-winners. However, PSG, now without the psychological burden of chasing their first European title, look freer, more focused, and even more ruthless.
Prediction:
Chelsea should have enough to finally knock out the resilient Brazilians. Having beaten Palmeiras 2-1, they can repeat that scoreline against Fluminense on Tuesday evening.
As for PSG vs Real Madrid, both teams are losing key players, and that should open it up. The goals can flow, but the French champions have enough in the middle to come out on top 3-2.
Our prediction for the final
Should these results materialise, the final will feature PSG and Chelsea, a rematch of their 2021 Champions League semi-final, though with vastly different squads and contexts. Chelsea, who have the tournament’s youngest squad on average, have shown tactical versatility and defensive resilience.
PSG, on the other hand, have attacked with a level of flair and fluidity that feels well beyond what Chelsea’s backline has yet had to deal with.
The return of Ousmane Dembélé is a huge advantage for PSG. The stage is set for him to pick up where he left off last campaign, and against a Chelsea defence that has been solid but occasionally vulnerable in wide areas, he’ll seek his opportunity.
Vitinha vs Caicedo may prove vital in deciding midfield control, but Chelsea will also need a perfect performance from Enzo Fernández, whose range of passing and spatial awareness could allow Chelsea to shift momentum if PSG over-commit.
Tonybet places PSG as outright favourites to win the tournament at 6/5, followed by Chelsea at 2/1. If Real Madrid find a way through, their odds remain strong at 7/4, while Fluminense are seen as the long shot at 5/1.
Based on current form and squad depth, PSG appear the most complete side remaining. Chelsea may have the potential to frustrate and counter, but over 90 minutes, PSG’s cutting edge should prove decisive.
Final prediction: PSG 2-0 Chelsea
Keep up to date with Tonybet
As the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup enters its final stages, the odds continue to shift with every injury report, suspension and team sheet. Whether you’re backing PSG to complete a historic double, hoping for a Chelsea upset, or looking for live updates as matches unfold, Tonybet provides detailed markets and competitive odds across the board.
From outright winners to in-play specials and player prop bets, Tonybet is the go-to destination for football fans tracking the world’s best clubs on the biggest stage.
Stay tuned as the semi-finals kick off – and keep your eyes on the odds, because in this tournament, anything can happen.
