Chelsea v Los Angeles FC prediction
The English club are hot favourites to win against opponents who have won seven of their first 16 MLS games of the season, sitting fifth in the Western Conference.
There is an element of unpredictability around whether teams will be at full strength and full throttle at the Club World Cup – perhaps even more so for teams who have ended their seasons – but Chelsea should have enough to win 3-1.
One player to watch could be Denis Bouanga, who won the MLS Golden Boot with LAFC in 2023 and has eight goals and five assists in the league in 2025.
Gabon international Bouanga’s total of 78 attempts in the MLS is 10 more than next-nearest players Lionel Messi and Hany Mukhtar.
Chelsea Fifa Club World Cup 2025 fixtures, schedule, results
Here’s when and where Chelsea play each of their initial rivals.
Monday, June 16
Chelsea vs LAFC (Atlanta, 20:00)
Friday, June 20
Flamengo vs Chelsea (Philadelphia, 19:00)
Wednesday, June 25
Esperance vs Chelsea (Philadelphia, 02:00)
Chelsea Club World Cup knockout stage path
Chelsea will be eliminated if they finish outside of the top two in their group. Otherwise, they will advance to a last-16 match against a team from Group C, which contains Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors and Benfica.
That game will be on Saturday, June 28 and take place in Charlotte at 21:00 if they are runners-up in their group or be held on Sunday, June 29 in Miami at 21:00 if they win their section.
Should they reach the quarter-finals, Chelsea will face a team from Group A – Palmeiras, Al-Ahly, Porto or Inter Miami – or Group B, which features Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo and Seattle Sounders.
That game will take place on Saturday, July 5 in Philadelphia at 02:00 if they are runners-up or in Atlanta at 17:00 if they win their group.
Their semi-final will be in New Jersey, taking place at 20:00 on Tuesday, July 8 if they are runners-up or at the same time on Wednesday, July 9 if they win their group.
The final is also in New Jersey at 20:00 on Sunday, July 13.
Chelsea Club World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Filip Jorgensen, Mike Penders, Robert Sanchez, Gaga Slonina
Defenders: Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Aaron Anselmino, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, Malo Gusto, Reece James, Mamadou Sarr
Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Dario Essugo, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia, Andrey Santos
Forwards: Liam Delap, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu, Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer
