FIFA Club World Cup Third Place Match: Does It Actually Exist?
The FIFA Club World Cup championship match is scheduled for Sunday, July 13 at MetLife Stadium, featuring Paris Saint-Germain against Chelsea, but will there be an additional exhibition match before the title is decided?
Regrettably, for supporters hoping for another contest or Real Madrid and Fluminense fans eager to watch their clubs compete once more before the break, no third-place playoff will occur prior to the championship game. This differs from FIFA's World Cup tournament planned for North America the following year. Additionally, the previous format of this competition included such a match. However, FIFA eliminated this concept for the revamped tournament.
"For the debut edition of this premier international competition, FIFA chose not to incorporate this fixture to allow clubs and athletes who don't reach the final to move on to their subsequent obligations as quickly as possible," FIFA stated in their official declaration.
Considering the compressed fixture schedule due to the tournament's addition, along with the intense summer temperatures, a third-place encounter isn't strictly necessary, though it removes the chance for pride that both semifinal runners-up might desire following their frustrating eliminations.
Fluminense were eliminated by their ex-player, Joao Pedro, as the Brazilian netted his inaugural pair of Chelsea strikes to secure the first championship berth. The second semifinal showcased PSG's complete supremacy this campaign. Real Madrid proved powerless against Luis Enrique's fluid system that has drawn parallels to Pep Guardiola's Barcelona.
Without a third-place encounter scheduled, the championship will serve as the tournament's concluding action. Clubs will then enter their break period and attempt to maximize whatever recovery time available before preseason training commences. Chelsea possess a chance to conclude their campaign positively, while PSG seek the perfect finishing touch to their maiden European silverware.