Flamengo vs. Chelsea lineups, team news, score prediction: Delap pushing for Club World Cup start

Chelsea and Flamengo meet in Philadelphia knowing a win will be enough to seal their passage from Group D.

Enzo Maresca’s UEFA Conference League winners started with a 2-0 victory over LAFC in Atlanta, while Flamengo saw off Esperance de Tunis by the same scoreline at Lincoln Financial Field.

Both of these teams will expect to progress in any case but top spot could be valuable, with Bayern Munich favourites to top Group C and take on the runners-up from this section in the Round of 16. 

MORE: The entire 2025 Club World Cup match schedule & results

Flamengo vs. Chelsea lineups, team news

Flamengo boss Luis Filipe could opt not to meddle with a winning formula.

This would mean a start for Jorginho, who made 213 appearances for Chelsea and starred in their run to glory in the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League — the reason they’re taking part in this competition.

Nicolas de la Cruz could return from his recent injury absence, most likely from the bench. Reported Manchester City target Wesley was an unused substitute against Esperance and might come in for Guillermo Varela at right-back

Flamengo starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Rossi (GK) — Wesley, Ortiz, Pereira, Ayrton Lucas — Pulgar, Jorginho — Gerson, De Arrascaeta,  Luiz Araujo — Pedro

Injured: None
Suspended: None

MORE: Full list of players, squads for all 32 Club World Cup participants

Full Flamengo squad

Goalkeepers: Dyogo Alves, Matheus Cunha, Leo Nannetti, Agustin Rossi

Defenders: Cleiton, Danilo, Ayrton Lucas, Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira, Daniel Sales, Alex Sandro, Matias Vina, Guillermo Varela, Joao Victor, Wesley

Midfielders: Allan, Everton Araujo, Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Nicolas De La Cruz, Gerson, Matheus Goncalves, Jorginho, Joshua, Pablo Lucio, Erick Pulgar

Forwards: Luiz Araujo, Everton, Guilherme Gomes, Bruno Henrique, Juninho, Lorran, Michael, Gonzalo Plata, Pedro, Wallace Yan.

Liam Delap produced a lively cameo from the bench against LAFC, setting up Enzo Fernandez for the game-sealing goal. The new signing from Ipswich Town could usurp Nicolas Jackson at centre-forward.

Fernandez’s midfield colleague Moises Caicedo limped off during the closing stages of the game in Atlanta after colliding with teammate Marc Cucurella, making him a doubt for this one. Brazilian youngster Andrey Santos could get a start if Caicedo isn’t risked.

Captain Reece James was substituted at halftime against LAFC, but that was merely as a precaution and he should start once more.

Chelsea starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Sanchez (GK) — James, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella — Fernandez, Santos — Neto, Palmer, Madueke — Delap

Injured: Caicedo (leg, doubt), Fofana (muscle), Kellyman (hamstring)
Suspended: Mudryk (doping violation)

Full Chelsea squad

Goalkeepers: Filip Jorgensen, Mike Penders, Robert Sanchez, Gaga Slonina

Defenders: Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Aaron Anselmino, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, Malo Gusto, Reece James, Mamadou Sarr

Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Dario Essugo, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia, Andrey Santos

Forwards: Liam Delap, Marc Guiu, Tyrique George, Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer.

Flamengo vs. Chelsea score prediction

Chelsea were taken to extra time against Brazilian opposition when they won the previous iteration of this tournament against Palmeiras in 2021.

Expect another close, potentially cagey affair, where Maresca’s men might have to come from behind to earn a share of the spoils.

Prediction: Flamengo 1-1 Chelsea

Flamengo vs. Chelsea live stream, TV channel

All matches across the entirety of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be streamed for free on DAZN across the globe. In addition, some matches may be televised in certain regions as per DAZN’s deals with local networks and services.

Here’s how to watch this 2025 Club World Cup group stage match across selected areas of the world’s major regions: