What: FIFA Club World Cup round of 16
Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
When: Saturday, June 28 at 4pm (21:00 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 1pm local (18:00 GMT) ahead of our live text commentary stream.
Chelsea and Benfica meet in the second round of 16 tie at the FIFA Club World Cup in an all-European encounter, one that easily could have been a fixture straight from the UEFA Champions League.
Together, these clubs have raised Europe’s foremost club competition nine times, with seven of those titles going to Benfica, the giants from Lisbon.
Al Jazeera Sport looks ahead to the match, which comes at a critical time for Chelsea following a setback in the group stage.
Chelsea’s Headache Before the Benfica Clash
Chelsea is facing logistical challenges at the Club World Cup after finishing second in their group. This means an unexpected trip to Charlotte for the round of 16 match instead of staying in Miami, where the team had anticipated they would prepare for the elimination stage.
Travel, accommodation, and training arrangements were made under the assumption Chelsea would top Group D and play their round of 16 tie at Hard Rock Stadium.
Despite the inconvenience, the club intends to return to Miami after the match, adding to a tight schedule.
Chelsea’s Performance in the Group Stage
Chelsea won their opening Club World Cup match 2-0 against Los Angeles but struggled thereafter, narrowly taking second place in the group following a 3-1 defeat to Brazil’s Flamengo and a sharp win over Tunisia.
Benfica matched Draw in Their Opening Match
Benfica tied 2-2 in their opening match at the Club World Cup against Boca Juniors. They then went on to win their next two matches comfortably.
Potential Quarter-Fiend Match
Irrespective of the result on the current match day, the victorious team is set to face the winner of the Brazilian clasp between Palmeiras and Botafogo.
Chelsea’s Previous Success
Chelsea, though twice winners of the UEFA Champions League, have only bagged the Club World Cup once in 2021 following a 2-1 victory over Brazil’s Palmeiras.
Previous Encounter
The two teams last met in the 2013 UEFA Europa League final where Chelsea edged the tie 2-1.
Chelsea’s Team News
Key players like Wesley Fofana and Nicolas Jackson remain sidelined due to injuries and suspensions.
Benfica’s Team News
Caretta and Silva remain unavailable, but Alexander Bah may return from his shoulder injury.
Possible Lineup for Benfica
Likely starting lineup includes: Trubin; Aursnes, Silva, Otamendi, Carreras; Barreiro, Sanches; Di Maria, Prestianni, Schjelderup; Pavlidis
Possible Lineup for Chelsea
Expected to line up as follows: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Madueke; Delap
Head-to-Head Record
Chelsea leads the head-to-head record, having won their two previous encounters.
Form Guides
Detailing both teams’ recent form across all competitions.
The Club World Cup Round of 16 fixtures have been set. ╹? Pic.twitter.com/PSqvYGZW18
— FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 27, 2025
