Chelsea Face Registration Dilemma: Will Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro Make Club World Cup Knockout Squad?
The introduction of a Club World Cup during the summer schedule resulted in modifications to the summer transfer window, which commenced earlier than typically expected.
Chelsea sought to capitalize on this 'unique' opportunity by acquiring Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, however they failed to negotiate a successful agreement with Milan for Mike Maignan, their preferred goalkeeper target.
Following the window's reopening on June 16—coinciding with Chelsea's initial group stage match—the west London outfit quickly returned to transfer activities to strengthen Enzo Maresca's roster for the 2025–26 season and future campaigns.
Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund and João Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion appear poised to become the next additions, further enhancing Maresca's attacking options. Both players possess the capability to serve as Chelsea foundations for years to come, but might they also contribute immediately during the remaining phases of the current Club World Cup?
When Does the Club World Cup Secondary Registration Deadline Close?
Chelsea have finalized agreements with Dortmund and Brighton for Gittens and Pedro respectively, however they face time constraints to register their new acquisitions for tournament participation.
FIFA established a secondary registration period on June 27 for competing clubs in the United States, permitting teams to include up to two additional players in their Club World Cup rosters. This period concludes on Thursday, July 3, after the first knockout round completion.
Therefore, Pedro has the opportunity to contribute to Maresca's team, while Gittens cannot be registered having already appeared for Dortmund in the competition. The 20-year-old made a short appearance in BVB's initial group match against Fluminense.
Considering this situation, Chelsea are expected to avoid hastening the Gittens transfer.
When Are Chelsea Playing Next at the Club World Cup?
Finishing second in Group D following their defeat to Flamengo on Matchday 2 arranged a round of 16 encounter with Benfica in Charlotte.
Captain Reece James secured a 1–0 advantage for the Blues in the second half, but their momentum was disrupted by a two-hour weather delay and Àngel Di María's injury-time penalty. Nevertheless, an early dismissal during the extended period for the Portuguese team enabled Chelsea to dominate, ultimately securing a 4–1 triumph.
Maresca's squad will now confront another Brazilian team in Palmeiras with a semifinal berth on the line. Their quarterfinal match is set for 9 p.m. (ET) on Friday, July 4. Therefore, should Chelsea finalize Pedro's signing and register him timely, he could participate in the club's quarterfinal encounter.