“Chelsea and PSG Face Major Setbacks Ahead of FIFA Club World Cup Final – Four Stars Confirmed Out, One Faces Last-Minute Fitness Test”
In what is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated FIFA Club World Cup finals in recent history, both Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have been dealt devastating injury blows just hours before the massive showdown. Fans across the globe had been bracing for a star-studded clash between the English giants and the French heavyweights, but breaking news has cast a cloud of uncertainty over the final, with a total of four first-team players officially ruled out and another key name facing a last-minute fitness test.
Chelsea, who reached the final after a hard-fought semi-final victory over Fluminense, are reeling from the confirmed absences of Reece James, Christopher Nkunku, Marc Cucurella, and Wesley Fofana, all sidelined due to a combination of recurring injuries and match fatigue. The news comes as a hammer blow for manager Enzo Maresca, who had hoped to field a full-strength side for his first major final since taking over the Blues.
A club statement confirmed the absence of James, who suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury during training. Nkunku, still nursing a knee issue, hasn’t been able to regain full fitness, while Fofana and Cucurella remain long-term absentees. Maresca, in a pre-match press conference, admitted:
“It’s heartbreaking to lose players of this caliber right before such an important game. But we’ll adapt. That’s what champions do.”
But it’s not just Chelsea who are suffering. PSG, coming off a sensational semi-final win over Real Madrid, are facing an equally nerve-wracking situation. Midfield engine Vitinha has been ruled out with a muscle strain, while Achraf Hakimi, a crucial part of their defensive line, is reportedly facing a late fitness test just hours before kick-off.
Sources close to the PSG camp revealed that Hakimi picked up a knock during the final minutes of their clash with Madrid. While the medical team remains optimistic, the Moroccan international is said to be “50/50” to feature in the final. Luis Enrique, visibly tense, told reporters:
“We’re prepared for all outcomes, but of course we hope Hakimi will be ready. His presence gives us a different edge on that right flank.”
The latest developments have sent shockwaves through both fanbases, with many now questioning how these absences will affect tactics, morale, and ultimately, the final outcome.
With both sides stripped of key personnel, the narrative around this final has shifted dramatically—from a clash of superstars to a test of tactical flexibility, squad depth, and pure resilience.
The FIFA Club World Cup final, once touted as a Hollywood-style blockbuster between two of Europe’s most star-studded squads, is now poised to be a gritty, unpredictable battle. One thing is certain: whatever happens, history will be made in this final—just not the way anyone expected.