For years, Paris Saint-Germain built a reputation as the club that could assemble stars but fall short when it mattered most. That story doesn’t hold up anymore. Not after the 2024–2025 season they just put together.
Now they arrive in the United States for the first-ever expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup. They’re not just participating—they’re stepping onto American soil as the most dominant club in Europe, riding a wave of form that’s already etched their name into the history books.
So here’s the question: can PSG turn the summer of 2025 into another chapter of their trophy-laden run?
Let’s break down their chances, the competition, and where things stand so far.
A Season for the Ages
It’s rare for a club to win everything it sets out to win. PSG did just that in 2024–25:
- Ligue 1: They clinched their 13th league title with weeks to spare, losing only two matches all season. At one point, they went 30 games unbeaten.
- Coupe de France: Routine win in the final—3-0 over Stade de Reims.
- Trophée des Champions: Kicked off the campaign with a tight 1-0 win over Monaco.
- UEFA Champions League: The most dominant of all, 5-0 in the final against Inter Milan.
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That last one shook the narrative. PSG weren’t just chasing the Champions League anymore. They buried that chase in confetti. And now, there’s one major international title left to grab: the FIFA Club World Cup.
Club World Cup 2025
FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup isn’t a side event anymore. It mirrors the format of the World Cup—32 clubs, group stages, knockout rounds, and a billion-dollar prize pool. Hosted in 11 U.S. cities, it’s as much a showcase of club dominance as it is a commercial experiment.
PSG qualified through UEFA’s coefficient ranking, locking in their spot thanks to consistent performances across four seasons, capped by their Champions League title.
They’re in Group B, facing:
- Atlético Madrid (Spain)
- Botafogo (Brazil)
- Seattle Sounders (USA)
Group Stage So Far
June 15: PSG 4-0 Atlético Madrid
Rose Bowl, Pasadena
What was expected to be a tight, cagey matchup turned into a masterclass. Goals from Fabián Ruiz, Vitinha, Senny Mayulu, and Lee Kang-in turned heads. PSG played with freedom, pressed relentlessly, and picked Atlético apart.
There’s a method to how they built control and punished mistakes, somewhat like knowing when to raise or fold by textbook poker rules.
Next up:
- June 19: Botafogo at the Rose Bowl
- June 23: Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field
Botafogo will push harder than Atlético did. They’re not just Libertadores winners—they’re also Brazilian champions and started with a win over the Sounders. Still, PSG looks a class above, especially with their front line clicking.
If they beat Botafogo, they’ll likely wrap up Group B with a game to spare.
Who’s Driving the Engine?
Luis Enrique has depth across every line, but a few names stand out right now:
Vitinha
He’s the heartbeat of the midfield. Constantly available, always looking forward, and in sync with whoever plays around him. He’s played every Champions League game since 2022 and has become the tactical glue PSG leans on.
Ousmane Dembélé
He’s unpredictable in the best way. Twenty-one goals in Ligue 1 and a few signature hat-tricks in Europe put him in rare form. The difference now? He’s consistent and disciplined. That wasn’t always the case.
Désiré Doué
At 19, he’s making defenders look like traffic cones. Two goals in the Champions League final got everyone’s attention, but his performances since then prove it wasn’t a fluke. PSG’s breakout star.
Gianluigi Donnarumma
He’s had his rough patches in the past, but lately, he’s rock solid. His positioning and decision-making have been sharper, and he’s coming up with clutch saves when it counts.
The Full-Backs
Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes stretch the pitch like rubber bands. Both offer pace, stamina, and final-third quality, letting PSG pin teams deep without losing defensive cover.
Squad Snapshot
| Position | Key Names |
| Goalkeepers | Gianluigi Donnarumma, Matvei Safonov, Arnau Tenas |
| Defenders | Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, Hernández, Beraldo |
| Midfielders | Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz, Lee Kang-in, Warren Zaïre-Emery, João Neves |
| Forwards | Dembélé, Doué, Kvaratskhelia, Ramos, Barcola, Mbaye |
Luis Enrique has enough rotation options to keep things fresh without compromising quality. And with knockout matches just around the corner, that’s critical.
The Main Threats
You can’t talk about a tournament this stacked without looking at who PSG might bump into later.
Real Madrid
Still the kings of club football, with a new-look lineup and a ridiculous Champions League pedigree.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold joining their ranks and their midfield looking refreshed, they’re rightly the bookmaker favorite.
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Manchester City
The defending Club World Cup champions. Their 2025 form hasn’t peaked the way it did in previous seasons, but they’ve still got one of the deepest squads in the world.
Erling Haaland may not be scoring at will anymore, but Pep Guardiola’s system keeps churning.
Bayern Munich
You never rule them out. It’s muscle memory at this point. Even in transition seasons, Bayern find a way to show up big on global stages. Their odds put them just ahead of PSG right now.
Botafogo
They’re more than a flair team. The Brazilian side plays with grit and speed, and they won’t roll over. If PSG sees them again in the knockout rounds, it’ll be no walk.
Al Hilal
With signings like João Cancelo and Aleksandar Mitrović, they’re part of the Saudi club surge that’s trying to rewrite the power map.
A deep run here could put them in the mix for real—not just hype.
Where the Bookies Stand
As of mid-June:
- Real Madrid: 11/4
- Bayern Munich: 11/2
- Manchester City: 7/1
- PSG: 12/1
Those odds might not reflect PSG’s current form. They’re the only side in the competition riding a fresh UCL title and a dominant domestic run. That underdog positioning might actually play to their advantage.
The Road Ahead
If PSG tops Group B, they’ll meet the Group A runner-up on June 29 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Here’s how it could play out:
- Round of 16 (June 29): Likely against a CONCACAF or Asian side
- Quarterfinal (July 4): Possible clash with a fellow European heavyweight
- Semifinal (July 9): Big test—Real Madrid or Manchester City may be waiting
- Final (July 13, MetLife Stadium): If they get here, they’ll be favored—unless it’s Real
Every match after the group stage becomes a coin flip. Fatigue, travel, heat, and one bad call can swing it. PSG knows that. They’ve been there before.
What Could Go Wrong?
It’s not all smooth sailing.
- Injury Risks: Fatigue builds up fast in a tournament this compressed.
- Travel and Conditions: Games across the U.S. mean cross-country flights, varying climates, and time zone shifts.
- Pressure: After winning everything already, anything less than a final might feel like failure.
- Knockout Roulette: Even the best teams can crash out early. One poor half can ruin everything.
What Experts Are Saying
Most analysts agree: PSG should hit the semifinals. Anything earlier would be a collapse. Luis Enrique hasn’t shied away from expectations either. In recent interviews, he’s doubled down, calling this tournament “unfinished business” for European clubs.
Media outlets from France, Spain, and Brazil all peg PSG as one of the “big four” in contention. And so far, they’ve backed it up.
Can PSG Win It?
They have the tools. They have the depth. And they’re coming in with more momentum than anyone.
So yes, PSG can win the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. They’ve shaken off the past, built a machine, and turned doubters into spectators. What matters now is execution. Three or four more perfect games and they add the final piece to a season that’s already legendary.
See the full list of past FIFA Club World Cup winners here.
They’re not chasing history anymore. They’re writing it in real time.
