Chelsea are set to begin their FIFA Club World Cup journey against MLS team Los Angeles FC. The Blues, who will be participating in their third-ever campaign in the continental competition, will do so in the first edition of the newly-expanded version.
The London club had a successful end to their season, securing Champions League football next season after a run of eight victories in their last 12 league matches under the guidance of Enzo Maresca in his debut campaign. They also made history by becoming the first club to win all three European competitions, defeating Real Betis 4-1 in the Europa Conference League final. Meanwhile, the MLS side currently sit fifth in the Western Conference and are unbeaten in their last nine league games.
This will be their first encounter with Los Angeles FC, while Chelsea will also face Brazilian team Flamengo and Tunisian league champions Esperance Sportive de Tunis in Group D, reports the Mirror.
When does Chelsea vs Los Angeles FC kick-off?
Chelsea's clash with LAFC will take place at the Mercedes Benz stadium in Atlanta, home of NFL franchise the Atlanta Falcons, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm BST (UK time) and 3pm local (ET) on Monday.
Where can I watch Chelsea vs Los Angeles FC?
Streaming platform DAZN holds the rights to the entire competition in the UK. Fans wishing to watch every match of the summer tournament, including Chelsea vs LAFC, can do so for free by signing up for a DAZN Freemium subscription here. By subscribing to the platform, customers can avoid hidden costs and enjoy the matches via the DAZN App on televisions, smartphones and devices with a browser. The game is also available to watch on Channel 5.
What's the team news for Chelsea vs Los Angeles FC?
Chelsea have travelled with a squad of 24 players to the United States, with regular stars such as Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and more anticipated to play a significant role in the tournament.
New recruits Mamadou Sarr and Liam Delap have also been included with the team, while Maresca chose to exclude Raheem Sterling and Joao Felix from his squad after the forward pair concluded their seasons on loan at Arsenal and AC Milan, respectively.
What is Chelsea's track record in the FIFA Club World Cup?
Chelsea first participated in the Club World Cup in 2012 following their Champions League victory when they overcame Bayern Munich in a penalty shootout. After defeating Monterrey 3-1 in the semi-finals, they faced Corinthians in the final but were defeated 1-0 by the Brazilian side, who claimed the honour for the second time.
The Blues returned to the competition in 2021 after defeating Manchester City 1-0 to secure their second Champions League title, where they enjoyed greater success in the global tournament on their second attempt. A 1-0 victory over Al-Hilal saw them reach a second final which they narrowly won 2-1 in extra-time against Palmeiras, becoming the third English team, after Manchester United and Liverpool, to win the Club World Cup.