Chelsea's strong start to the season via head coach Enzo Maresca and his youthful squad could offer an insight into one of the dark horses of the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. The tournament will now run as a proper 32-team event,

Club Leon have been removed from this summer’s Club World Cup by FIFA to leave Chelsea needing new opening group stage opponents. Following their CONCACAF Champions League success in 2023, the Mexican side had been due to compete in the first edition of the revamped and expanded 32-team competition in the United States beginning in June.

Liga MX title-contenders Club León have been kicked out of this summer’s Club World Cup after they failed to pass FIFA’s multi-club ownership test. León and fellow qualifiers CF Pachuca are part of the same ownership group,