Chelsea have won two and lost two against Brazilian opponents to date. They were beaten by Corinthians in 2012 and Flamengo last month, but have enjoyed a pair of victories over Palmeiras, these in 2022 and last Friday.
Fluminense's sole previous encounter with English opposition came in the 2023 Club World Cup Final, demolishing 4-0 by Manchester City in Jeddah, hoping this one will go rather better.
Fluminense vs Chelsea preview
Fluminense have not won the Brasileirão since 2012; Chelsea were most recently Premier League champions in 2017. Now though, both clubs are simply two wins away from being crowned champions of the world on Sunday.
Four Brazilian clubs featured at this summer's Club World Cup but, given that they finished 13th in the league last season, Fluminense arrived in the states with the lowest expectations. Nevertheless, Renato Gaúcho's team are now the last non-European side left standing, dreaming of another historic upset. The Fluzão rather battled through the group stages, drawing 0-0 with both Borussia Dortmund and Mamelodi Sundowns, while needing to fight back from 2-1 down to beat Ulsan HD 4-2.
Then, in the round of 16, Fluminense sprung a surprise by dumping out Internazionale in Charlotte, setting up a quarter-final clash with Al-Hilal on Friday. Many tipped the Saudi side for victory in Orlando, but goals from Matheus Martinelli and then Hércules fired Flu through in Florida. So now, will Fluminense's historic Club World Cup run take them all the way to the final in East Rutherford?
As for Chelsea, this will be their third match against a Brazilian club this summer, yielding mixed results to date. The Blues were beaten 3-1 by Flamengo during the group phase, but still comfortably enough to advance, thanks to comfortable victories over both LAFC and Espérance Sportive de Tunis. Their round of 16 tie against Benfica then took over four and a half hours to complete, due to a weather delay caused by lightening in North Carolina, but extra time goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, ultimately, saw them progress.
Enzo Maresca's team were then made to work hard again on Friday night, battling past Palmeiras in Pennsylvania. Cole Palmer broke the deadlock in Philly, only for Chelsea-bound Estêvão Willian to score a stunning equaliser, but, with eight minutes to play, Malo Gusto's cross provoked an own goal, snatching the 2-1 victory. Thus, Chelsea certainly kick off at MetLife Stadium as favourites, so will it be they who reaches Sunday's Club World Cup Final, where PSG or Real Madrid will await?
Fluminense vs Chelsea head-to-head record
These two clubs have never previously met.
Fluminense team news
Mixed team news for Renato Gaúcho. Left-back Renê can return, having served his suspension against Al-Hilal, but key centre-back Juan Pablo Freytes as well as star midfielder Matheus Martinelli are both banned, following cautions of their own in Orlando.
Fluminense have switched to a back three since the start of the knockout stages, expected to do the same here too, with Friday's goal-scoring hero Hércules coming into midfield.
Fluminense predicted lineup vs Chelsea: (3-5-2): Fábio; Ignácio, Thiago Silva, Fuentes; Xavier, Bernal, Hércules, Nonato, Renê; Arias, Cano.
Fluminense player to watch vs Chelsea
Striker Jhon Arias has caught the eye at this tournament so far, most-notably netting against Ulsan HD at MetLife Stadium 18 days ago, so could he be the hero in New Jersey again?
Chelsea team news
Moisés Caicedo can return, having been suspended against Palmeiras, but Levi Colwill and Liam Delap were both booked in Philadelphia, meaning they are suspended.
In Delap's absence, Enzo Maresca has a decision to make in attack. João Pedro made his debut off the bench on Friday, having been on holiday prior to making the move from Brighton, so does he start, or will Nicolas Jackson get the nod, available again following his red card against Flamengo?
Reece James suffered an injury in the warm up in Philly, so Malo Gusto is set to keep his place at right-back, while Tosin Adarabioyo is likely to come in for Colwill, partnering Trevoh Chalobah.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Fluminense: (4-3-3): Sánchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia, Fernández; Neto, Palmer, João Pedro.
Chelsea player to watch vs Fluminense
Cole Palmer broke the deadlock in the quarter-final, his first non-penalty goal since 14 January, so will he be the match-winner in East Rutherford?
Fluminense vs Chelsea prediction
This is unlikely to be a goal-fest, based on what both have produced at this tournament so far, but we are backing Chelsea to prevail in New Jersey, proving too strong for Flu: Fluminense 0-1 Chelsea.
Fluminense vs Chelsea FAQs - FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals
How to watch Fluminense vs Chelsea FIFA Club World Cup game on TV channel?
Fluminense vs Chelsea FIFA Club World Cup game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: DAZN UK
- USA: TNT Sports, TUDN and DAZN USA.
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Fluminense vs Chelsea FIFA Club World Cup game on live streaming?
Fluminense vs Chelsea FIFA Club World Cup game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: DAZN UK
- USA: TNT Sports, TUDN and DAZN USA.
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Fluminense vs Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup?
Fluminense vs Chelsea takes place on Tuesday 8 July 2025, with kick off at 20:00 (BST), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PDT).