Fate brought them face to face too soon. Two powerhouses, unresolved tension, red-hot stars, and a ticket to the final at stake.
When and where?
The clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid in the 2025 Club World Cup semifinals will take place on Wednesday, July 9, at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, New York. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT, with Polish referee Szymon Marciniak in charge of the game.
PSG Preview
The European champions arrive on fire. PSG dominated Group B, crushed Inter Miami 4–0 in the Round of 16, and then gave a masterclass against Bayern Munich, proving they’re on a serious mission this time. Under Luis Enrique, the team has shown an ideal mix of order, talent, and ruthlessness.
Real Madrid Preview
On the other side stands the most successful club in history. Real Madrid topped Group H, edged past Juventus with a narrow win in the Round of 16, and came out on top in a thrilling 3–2 against Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals. Despite not playing their best football, Xabi Alonso’s team keeps progressing thanks to experience and quality.
Key Players
One of the standout names for PSG is Ousmane Dembélé, who made the difference off the bench against Bayern and is expected to start this time. He could be decisive from the very first minute.
The big news for Madrid is the return of Kylian Mbappé, who is set to face his former team. But all eyes are on Gonzalo García, the breakout star who leads the tournament with 4 goals and continues to impress.
The Most Anticipated Clash
This match is more than just a semifinal. It’s the reigning Champions League winner against the all-time king of Europe. It’s history versus the present. It’s talent at every turn. And while only one team will reach the final, there’s no doubt: this is the final before the final.
Will Kylian Mbappé start?
That’s the big question on the minds of many fans and Xabi Alonso as he decides who will make the starting lineup, to be announced shortly before the Club World Cup semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain.
The French striker missed the entire group stage of the competition due to gastroenteritis, but that’s now in the past. He hasn’t started yet, but the good news for Real Madrid is that he’s already played 45 minutes and even scored.
Now, in a match of such magnitude, one would expect the new Merengue coach to position the Frenchman as the focal point of the attack, though surprises are always possible.
That’s another major unknown: whether Xabi Alonso will bench the player who scored the most goals in the tournament, Gonzalo García, a pleasant surprise in recent weeks but one who can hardly justify keeping Mbappé on the sidelines.
