How to watch Chelsea vs LAFC: Club World Cup preview

The champions of Europe may have already been crowned, although there is an even bigger prize on offer this summer, as 32 teams compete to be named the best club side on the planet.

Yes, amid much excitement and intrigue, the revamped FIFA Club World Cup is now finally on the horizon, with things kicking off on Saturday 14 June, ahead of what will be a month-long feast of football in the United States.

Among those from across the globe who are bidding to reach the showpiece on 13 July are Premier League giants – and recent Europa Conference League winners – Chelsea, with the Blues set to take on MLS outfit LAFC on Monday (16 June).

The west Londoners have earned their place following their Champions League triumph back in 2021, while for their opponents, the Los Angeles-based hopefuls saw off Club America in a lucrative play-off showdown to secure the final spot in the competition.

Ahead of what should be an enthralling opening fixture for two of the four sides in Group D, here’s everything you need to know on how to watch – and who to be looking out for – when Monday rolls around…

Where to watch Chelsea vs LAFC at the Club World Cup

63 games. The world’s best players. All in one place. All without paying a penny. It really doesn’t get much better than that, does it?

Indeed, FIFA revealed back in December 2024 that this bumper Club World Cup edition will be available for free globally, with the world’s current largest sports streaming platform – DAZN – showcasing every game from this footballing extravaganza.

Available worldwide in 14 languages, DAZN really is the go-to place for this summer’s affair, with easy access provided to watch the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland – and many more – strutting their stuff at the highest level.

If you are already a DAZN subscriber, then the Club World Cup action will already become a part of your membership. For those who haven’t yet signed up, all you have to do is use your email address to register a free account on the DAZN website, with no hidden costs or fees added. You will then be able to watch every game on the DAZN app via your TV, computer, phone or even on your games console.

Chelsea vs LAFC (Monday 16 June – Atlanta – 8pm UK time, 3pm local time)

• Current Champions

  Manchester City

  Founded

  2000

  Most Championships

  Real Madrid (5)

  
  

Chelsea vs LAFC – Who to look out for

Fresh off the back of their recent European success, Enzo Maresca’s youthful side have already bolstered their ranks with a handful of key signings, with Strasbourg’s Mamadou Sarr joining Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap in making the move to Stamford Bridge.

Those two new arrivals will be in line to make their Chelsea debuts against their MLS opponents, while there is further excitement surrounding new man Dario Essugo and the returning Andrey Santos.

Delap, in particular, will strengthen a frontline that already includes the dazzling Cole Palmer, with the Blues talisman seeking to build on his return of 67 goals and assists in just 91 games for the club to date. Behind the Englishman, the South American duo of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo will likely prove crucial to the club’s fortunes once again.

As for the side hoping to throw an early spanner in the works, LAFC boast a handful of familiar faces to Premier League audiences at their core, with the World Cup-winning French duo of Hugo Lloris and Olivier Giroud operating at either end of the pitch.

This meeting will, of course, be something of a reunion for Giroud, following his prior three-and-a-half-year stay in west London, with the veteran striker memorably scoring six goals en route to Chelsea’s Champions League triumph four years ago.

The 38-year-old – who has scored just five goals during his time in the States – is not manager Steve Cherundolo’s danger man, however, with number 99, Denis Bouanga, having hit 20+ MLS goals in each of his last two seasons, prior to netting eight in 15 league games in 2025. One-time Roma and Marseille starlet, Cengiz Under, will be another for Chelsea to keep tabs on down the right flank.

Who else is in Group D?

Chelsea’s Premier League status will make them overwhelming favourites to progress from Group D, although Brazilian outfit, Flamengo, will provide a stern test, having won the Copa Libertadores back in 2022.

Those two sides go head to head in the second round of games, with that fixture providing the chance for another potential reunion, as former Chelsea man Jorginho bids to make his debut for the Serie A side, amid his recent free transfer exit from Arsenal.

Elsewhere, aside from latecomers LAFC, the final place in Group D has been taken by Tunisian outfit, Esperance de Tunis, with the relative outsiders having earned their place as the highest ranking eligible side in the CAF – African football’s governing body.

With the chance for new rivalries to be made, this quartet is not one to be overlooked…