Fifa Club World Cup - Group D profiles

The Fifa Club World Cup 2025 brings together the world's most prestigious clubs for an expanded tournament set to unfold across 12 venues in the United States.

Group D promises an electrifying showdown as Chelsea, CR Flamengo, Espérance, and LAFC vie for supremacy in a fiercely competitive pool. With each team representing a distinct footballing heritage—European champions Chelsea, South American giants Flamengo, African powerhouses Espérance, and MLS contenders LAFC—this group offers a thrilling mix of styles, history, and ambition.

The stakes couldn't be higher, with a packed fixture list testing the resilience of each squad. Flamengo’s attacking flair, Chelsea’s European pedigree, Espérance’s African flair, and LAFC’s rising influence in world football set the stage for an unpredictable battle. As these clubs converge on American soil, fans can anticipate clashes defined by technical brilliance, tactical ingenuity, and moments of sheer magic. Who will rise to the occasion and carve their legacy in the new era of the Fifa Club World Cup? The journey begins.

Chelsea

Chelsea will face clubs from Brazil, Tunisia, and the USA in the finals, as the two-time UEFA Champions League winners take on 2022 Copa Libertadores champions CR Flamengo, Espérance, who qualified via the ranking pathway, and LAFC, who secured their place after a dramatic Play-In victory over Club América.

Chelsea's Group D Fixtures
- Monday, 16 June: Chelsea FC vs. LAFC – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Friday, 20 June: CR Flamengo vs. Chelsea FC – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Tuesday, 24 June: Espérance vs. Chelsea FC – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

How They Qualified

Chelsea earned their spot at the FIFA Club World Cup by defeating Manchester City in the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League final, securing one of the 12 berths allocated to European teams. This marked their second triumph in the competition, following their 2012 victory over Bayern Munich.

Club Factfile
- Year Formed: 1905 
- Stadium: Stamford Bridge 
- Nickname: The Blues 

Club History

Chelsea FC was founded in 1905 after English businessman Gus Mears acquired Stamford Bridge, intending to turn it into a football ground. When no club agreed to lease the stadium, Mears established Chelsea himself.

The club’s rise to prominence accelerated in the early 2000s with new ownership and significant investment, leading to Premier League dominance under José Mourinho, who famously dubbed himself The Special One. Chelsea secured back-to-back league titles in 2005 and 2006, with a record-breaking 95 points in their centenary year.

Their crowning moment came on 19 May 2012, when they lifted their first UEFA Champions League trophy, defeating Bayern Munich in a dramatic penalty shootout. They repeated the feat in 2021, overcoming Manchester City in the final, with Kai Havertz scoring the decisive goal. Chelsea completed their trophy collection by winning the FIFA Club World Cup in 2022, beating Palmeiras 2-1 in Abu Dhabi.

CR Flamengo

Brazilian giants CR Flamengo will be one of six Conmebol representatives at the Fifa Club World Cup 2025, boasting a star-studded squad and a massive fanbase of nearly 50 million.

CR Flamengo's Group D Fixtures
- Monday, 16 June: CR Flamengo v Espérance – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Friday, 20 June: CR Flamengo v Chelsea FC – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Tuesday, 24 June: LAFC v CR Flamengo – Camping World Stadium, Orlando

How They Qualified

Flamengo secured their place by winning the 2022 Copa Libertadores, defeating Athletico Paranaense 1-0 in the final, with Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa scoring the decisive goal. Gabigol also played a pivotal role in Flamengo’s 2019 Libertadores triumph, netting two late goals in their comeback win over River Plate.

Club Factfile
- Founded: 1895
- Stadium: The Maracanã
- Nicknames: Fla, O Mengão, O Rubro-Negro

Club History

Originally founded as a rowing club, Flamengo transitioned to football in 1911. Their rise to national prominence came in the 1980s, led by legendary figures Zico, Junior, and Leandro. The club won three Brazilian championships (1980, 1982, 1983), the 1981 Copa Libertadores, and the Intercontinental Cup, defeating Liverpool 3-0.

After a period of inconsistency, Flamengo returned to dominance in the 2010s, winning two national titles (2019, 2020) and two Libertadores crowns (2019, 2022). Their 2019 campaign was particularly historic, culminating in a Fifa Club World Cup final appearance, where they narrowly lost 1-0 to Liverpool.

Espérance

Espérance will be one of four African representatives at the Fifa Club World Cup 2025™, alongside Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Wydad AC.

Espérance's Group D Fixtures
- Monday, 16 June: CR Flamengo v Espérance – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Friday, 20 June: LAFC v Espérance – GEODIS Park, Nashville
- Tuesday, 24 June: Espérance v Chelsea FC – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

How They Qualified

Espérance secured their place via the CAF ranking pathway, thanks to their consistent performances in the CAF Champions League over the past four seasons. They were runners-up in the 2023-24 CAF Champions League, narrowly losing to Al Ahly in the final.

Club Factfile
- Year Formed: 1919
- Stadium: Stade Olympique de Rades
- Nicknames: Mkachkha (The Smiling One), Les Sang et Or (The Blood and Gold), Taraji Dawla (Hope is a Country), Ghoul Afrikya (The Beast of Africa)

Club History

Founded in 1919 in Tunis, Espérance overcame early administrative hurdles under French protectorate rule to become a dominant force in Tunisian football. They won their first Tunisian Cup in 1957 and secured back-to-back league titles in 1959 and 1960.

Their continental breakthrough came in 1994, when they won their first CAF Champions League. Since then, they have amassed four CAF Champions League titles, 33 league championships, and 15 Tunisian Cups, making them one of Africa’s most decorated clubs.

Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC)

LAFC will be one of three Major League Soccer (MLS) representatives at the Fifa Club World Cup 2025, alongside Inter Miami CF and Seattle Sounders FC.

LAFC’s Group D Fixtures
- Monday, 16 June: Chelsea FC v LAFC – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Friday, 20 June: LAFC v Espérance – GEODIS Park, Nashville
- Tuesday, 24 June: LAFC v CR Flamengo – Camping World Stadium, Orlando

How They Qualified

LAFC secured their place by defeating Club América 2-1 in extra time in the Club World Cup Play-In match. They were runners-up in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League and have won three major domestic trophies: the 2019 and 2022 MLS Supporters’ Shield and the 2022 MLS Cup.

Club Factfile
- Year Formed: 2018
- Stadium: BMO Stadium
- Nickname: The Black and Gold

Club History

LAFC debuted in 2018, quickly establishing themselves as an attacking force. In 2019, they set MLS records for most goals in a season (85) and largest goal difference (+48). Their 2022 MLS Cup triumph was highlighted by Gareth Bale’s dramatic extra-time equaliser.