Paris Saint-Germain (France)
Paris Saint-Germain enters the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup as the reigning UEFA Champions League titleholders, fresh off a historic treble-winning campaign that saw them dominate French football and conquer Europe. Under manager Luis Enrique, the Ligue 1 giants have undergone a tactical revolution, transforming from a star-studded side to a cohesive, high-energy unit with an average age of just 24. Their 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the Champions League final—a record-breaking margin—epitomized their blend of speed, precision, and relentless pressing.
Tactical Identity and Key Players
Enrique’s system revolves around a fluid 4-3-3, prioritizing rapid transitions and verticality. The absence of Kylian Mbappé, who departed for Real Madrid, has been mitigated by Ousmane Dembélé’s sensational reinvention as a central striker. The Frenchman, this season’s Ballon d’Or favorite, led the top five European leagues with 33 goals and 14 assists, seamlessly combining hold-up play with explosive runs. His partnership with Georgian winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia—renowned for his dribbling wizardry (8.2 dribbles per game) and pinpoint crosses—forms the nucleus of PSG’s attack. Teenage sensation Warren Zaire-Emery, meanwhile, anchors the midfield with his composure and progressive passing, while Achraf Hakimi’s overlapping runs and defensive tenacity add width and depth.
Atlético Madrid (Spain)
Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid arrives at the Club World Cup with a chip on their shoulder, having secured their spot as UEFA’s second-ranked representative after Barcelona’s Champions League exit. Despite finishing third in La Liga, the Colchoneros remain a tactical juggernaut, renowned for their low-block intensity and lethal counterattacks. Their 2-1 group-stage victory over PSG in the Champions League—a result that exposed the Parisians’ early-season defensive vulnerabilities—highlights their ability to upset giants.
Tactical Blueprint and Core Assets
Simeone’s 4-4-2 hybrid system hinges on compact defensive organization, with center-back José Giménez and midfielder Koke forming a near-impregnable shield. Giménez’s aerial dominance (6.1 clearances per game) and Koke’s positional intelligence (91% pass accuracy) neutralize opposing attacks, while Antoine Griezmann’s false-nine role—dropping deep to link play and create chances—unlocks spaces for Álvarez and Sorloth.
Challenges and Ambitions
Atlético’s Achilles’ heel lies in their midfield creativity; their lack of a consistent playmaker has often stifled progression in tight games. However, Simeone’s man-management and motivational tactics—evidenced by their 72% win rate in matches decided by a single goal—ensure they remain formidable under pressure. With a squad valuation of €516 million, Atlético punches above their weight through discipline and tactical discipline, traits that could prove decisive in the knockout stages.
