Team news!

Chelsea are kicking off their Club World Cup campaign this evening against LAFC and the teams are in!

Enzo Maresca has gone almost as strong as he can for his side’s opener in the USA, with Cole Palmer among the starters.

Romeo Lavia starts over Enzo Fernandez in midfield.

Meanwhile, Liam Delap is forced to wait for his debut, sitting alongside Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr on the bench.

For LAFC, ex-Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris starts, as former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud is a substitute.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Lavia, Neto, Palmer, Madueke, Jackson.

Subs: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Anselmino, Badiashile, Chalobah, Gusto, Sarr, Santos, Dewsbury-Hall, Essugo, Fernandez, George, Guiu, Nkunku, Delap.

LAFC XI: Lloris, Palencia, Long, Segura, Hollingshead, Jesus, Tillman, Delgado, Ordaz, Bouanga, Ebobisse.

Subs: Hasel, Ochoa, Chanot, Marlon, Tafari, Amaya, Holm, Raposo, Saldana, Yeboah, Giroud, Morales, Wibowo.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 16: Reece James #24 of Chelsea FC inspects the pitch prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group D match between Chelsea FC and Los Angeles Football Club at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 16, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)