In the world of football, few things are taken more seriously than silverware—and Chelsea are making sure everyone knows exactly what they’ve won.
Just days after their emphatic 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the final, the Blues have wasted no time updating their honours board to reflect their newest—and arguably boldest—title: the first-ever FIFA Club World Cup champions.
A Stunning Win in the New 32-Team Format
Chelsea’s win wasn’t just a fluke. They dominated PSG, the Champions League winners and tournament favourites, in a surprising yet convincing fashion.
It was the first time the Club World Cup was played in an expanded 32-team format, moving away from the old model of six or eight participating clubs.
With the new setup came not only more competition but also more prestige—and prize money.
And Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca’s leadership, rose to the occasion, earning both the newly-designed trophy and the bragging rights that come with being the inaugural champions of this reimagined tournament.
FIFA Rebrands the Past and Crowns a New Era
Following Chelsea’s triumph, FIFA made a major announcement.
All previous winners of the Club World Cup would now be referred to as “FIFA Intercontinental Champions”, while Maresca’s Chelsea would go down as the first-ever FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) Champions in history.
This rebranding essentially reshuffles the global football hierarchy.
Clubs like Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Barcelona, who previously held the world champion title, have now been moved to a slightly different category in football’s record books.
Chelsea Quickly Reflects the Glory Online
Chelsea didn’t waste a moment. Eagle-eyed fans noticed the update on the club’s official website under the “Men’s Trophy Cabinet” section.
The text proudly reads: “Chelsea have won it all!”—and now includes the FIFA Club World Cup (2025).
They also adjusted their 2021 Club World Cup title, renaming it “FIFA Intercontinental Cup (formerly FIFA Club World Cup)” to match the new classification.
That 2021 win, for the record, came after a dramatic extra-time victory over Palmeiras, sealed with a late Kai Havertz penalty.
Rivals Yet to Catch Up with the Changes
So far, none of Chelsea’s English rivals have updated their websites to match the new FIFA terminology.
As of Tuesday morning, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Manchester United still list their wins under the old FIFA Club World Cup title.
Whether they’re waiting for official clarification or just dragging their feet, it’s clear Chelsea are leading the way when it comes to embracing the new era of global club competition.
The Club World Cup’s Evolution Over Time
For a bit of history: the tournament originally kicked off in 2000 as the Club World Championship and returned permanently in 2005.
It was held annually up to 2023, before being rebranded and relaunched in its current expanded format this summer.
Real Madrid have historically been the dominant force in the competition, winning it five times—most recently in 2022.
Barcelona claimed it four times, while Corinthians and Bayern Munich each lifted the trophy twice.
Real Madrid also won the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in 2024, which now fills the gap between the older and current formats.
The next edition will take place in 2025, with PSG set to represent Europe thanks to their Champions League triumph.
What’s Next?
With Chelsea staking their claim as pioneers of this new Club World Cup chapter, the pressure is on for other top clubs to adapt and respond.
Will we see updates from Liverpool, United, or City soon? And can Chelsea keep their momentum in what looks to be a new golden age under Enzo Maresca?
One thing’s for sure—history has a new name on it, and Chelsea have made sure the world knows it.