By IP reporter.
NEW JERSEY – European giants Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed their starting lineups ahead of tonight’s FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. BST (10 p.m. East African Time).
Paris Saint-Germain will line up in a 4-3-3 formation with Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal.
The back four consists of Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Lucas Beraldo, and Nuno Mendes.
In midfield, Vitinha, João Neves, and Fabián Ruiz are set to control the tempo.
Up front, Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will lead the attack.
Dembélé returns to the starting XI after overcoming a knock, while Beraldo replaces the suspended Willian Pacho in central defense.
Chelsea, meanwhile, will field a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Robert Sánchez starts in goal with Malo Gusto, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella in defense.
Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández anchor the midfield.
The attacking trio just behind the striker includes Cristiano Neto, Cole Palmer, and Christopher Nkunku.
Joao Pedro, fresh off a brace in the semifinal, is expected to lead the line, although Liam Delap remains an option from the bench.
Caicedo passed a late fitness test to return to the midfield, and Colwill also comes back into the squad after serving a suspension.
Noni Madueke is unavailable following his departure from the club, while Benoît Badiashile and Romeo Lavia remain sidelined.
PSG Starting XI (4-3-3):
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Mendes; Vitinha, Neves, Ruiz; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.
Chelsea Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
Sánchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernández; Neto, Palmer, Nkunku; Joao Pedro.
With both teams at near full strength and plenty of star power on display, tonight’s final promises a high-stakes showdown between attacking flair and tactical discipline. Fans in East Africa can catch the action live at 10:00 p.m. EAT.
Ends.
