Les Rouge et Bleu set sights on Club World Cup
Less than ten days after conquering Europe, Les Parisiens are taking on a new summit: the FIFA Club World Cup. Luis Enrique's men head to California for an intense American trip. Despite the new time zone and the new challenge that awaits them, the aim remains the same: to continue making history.
Paris Saint-Germain have not had much time to savour their historic Champions League triumph before already looking towards a major new challenge. Less than ten days after their stunning 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final of Europe's premier club competition, Les Rouge et Bleu flew to the United States today to take part in the FIFA Club World Cup – which runs from 15th June to 13th July – for the first time in the club's history. This was a quick turnaround, then, but one that has become customary for a squad used to competing on all fronts.
The European champions are heading for California, where they will be based at the University of Irvine, just south of Los Angeles, and, after an 11-and-a-half-hour flight and with a nine-hour time difference to digest, Les Parisiens are expected to hit the training pitches tomorrow as they begin their tournament preparations. With some of the international players coming off the back of a demanding international schedule, including UEFA Nations League matches and FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, there's little respite on the horizon, but the objective is clear: to help Paris Saint-Germain shine on the world stage, just a few weeks after conquering Europe.
Les Rouge et Bleu are in Group B and will make their competition debut this Sunday against Atlético de Madrid at the legendary Rose Bowl Stadium at 12:00 local time. This will be followed by two further high-profile games: one against Brazil's Botafogo at 15:00 local time next Thursday and another against the Seattle Sounders on 23rd June, again at 12:00 local time. So, a new chapter is set to begin for Luis Enrique's men, who will be looking to add a world title to what has already been a historic season. While the challenge ahead is immense, the capital club has proved this year that no mountain is too high...