This significant financial boost after their 4-1 overtime defeat to Benfica on Saturday, 28 June 2025 is worth about £9.6 million on the last 16th of Saturday, June 2025. The Blues are now preparing for a challenging quarterfinal against Brazilian giant Palmeiras in Philadelphia on Friday, July 4.
The prize money in the competition will greatly help Enzo Maresca’s transfer fund. Clubs participating in the 32-team matches of the expansion are receiving substantial sums, with a total of £774 million in prize money. European teams receive different participation fees based on “sports and business standards.”
Chelsea has had a lot of journeys in the game, including a tough victory over Benfica, which has been delayed by a severe thunderstorm in Charlotte, North Carolina. Despite the chaotic weather at Bank of America Stadium, Reece James led Chelsea with a great free kick in the 64th minute. However, in Malo’s handball, Angel Di Maria’s late penalty forced the game to double the time.
Thankfully, the blues show quality for the extra time. Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni saw a red card after just two minutes of extra time, which gave Chelsea a crucial advantage. Christopher Nkunku then fought for the second goal before defeating Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to win 4-1.
Winning the last 16 draws added £9.6 million to Chelsea’s safe. The payment is based on money already earned, including participation fees at the European club size cap. In the context, each European club has achieved at least £9.4 million. Manchester City is the other side of the tournament and has done a good job, earning around £37.8 million so far.
The club’s World Cup offers huge financial incentives that have the potential to earn nearly £100 million for teams that win trophy along the way. The winners will earn about £29.2 million from the final itself and the runner-up will receive £21.9 million. Of the quarter-final revenue, the value of reaching the semi-finals is £15.3 million. FIFA allocated a record total prize money (£730 million) to the competition.
However, the game faced some criticism, reporting on nearly vacant stadiums in some group matches and fears of extreme weather conditions and poor stadiums. Despite these issues, financial rewards are obvious and effectively help pay for transfer fees for summer signings by certain clubs.
Chelsea’s quarter-final rival Palmeiras won his place after Philadelphia’s overtime 1-0 defeat of Brazil’s Botafogo. It’s a engaging game, a replay of the 2021 club World Cup final. However, Enzo Maresca’s team will not have the key midfielder Moises Caideo, who was suspended for accumulating yellow cards. Caicedo was booked in the Benfica competition but was still named the person in the competition.
If Chelsea can surpass Palmeiras, an additional £15.3 million will be offered in the next round. The semi-finals and finals are scheduled to be held in New York later in July.
Source link
