Chelsea To Face LAFC in Atlanta

Chelsea and LAFC will face off on Monday, June 16, in the opening match of Group D at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The game will be played at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and is scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm ET / 2:00 pm CT / 12:00 pm PT.

The English club is approaching this tournament as a chance to solidify a new era after winning the Conference League last season. Maresca has made it clear he won’t be holding anything back and will use the Club World Cup to assess his squad under top-level pressure.

Chelsea Betting on Young Talent

Chelsea arrives at this matchup with a young core and several potential debutants. Players to watch include goalkeeper Mike Penders, defenders Mamadou Sarr and Aaron Anselmino, midfielders Dário Essugo and Andrey Santos, and forward Liam Delap, recently signed for over £30 million.

The English club sees this tournament as a key opportunity to solidify a new era after missing out on European competitions last season. Maresca has made it clear that he intends to test his full roster in a high-stakes setting.

LAFC Looking To Shock the World

The Los Angeles side, managed by Steve Cherundolo, comes into the match in the middle of the MLS season and on a ten-match unbeaten streak. Players like Denis Bouanga, who has scored over 20 goals in each of the past two seasons, and veteran French striker Olivier Giroud add proven quality to their front line.

For LAFC, this match against Chelsea is a historic opportunity to measure up against elite European competition and make an early statement in the group.

Clash of Styles and High Expectations

This match marks the start of Group D, which also features Flamengo and Esperance Tunis. For Chelsea, earning three points from the opening game is crucial to avoid pressure later in the group stage. For LAFC, securing a result in their debut would be a massive step forward in their first Club World Cup experience.