Prepare for a high-stakes clash as European giants chelsea and benfica face off in the FIFA Club World Cup knockout rounds. Set against the backdrop of Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, this Round of 16 encounter on Saturday, June 28, 2025, promises significant drama. Fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating this crucial match to see which club advances in the global tournament.
Understanding how and when to tune into this must-watch fixture is essential for supporters. This guide provides all the necessary details, from kickoff times across different zones to streaming options available globally.
Club World Cup Showdown: Chelsea Meets Benfica
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup brings together top clubs from around the globe for an expanded competition. The knockout stage intensifies the stakes, with every match becoming a do-or-die battle. The Round of 16 features prominent teams vying for the ultimate title.
Chelsea, hailing from England’s competitive Premier League, and Benfica, a powerhouse from Portugal’s Primeira Liga, represent strong European footballing traditions. Their meeting in the United States adds a unique flavor to the tournament, showcasing international football on American soil.
Team Form Heading Into the Knockouts
Both Chelsea and Benfica navigated their respective group stages to reach this point, though their paths differed notably.
Chelsea’s journey through the group phase has been described by some observers as “underwhelming.” While the London club secured qualification for the knockout rounds, their performances showed moments of vulnerability. Their path included a solid 2-0 victory against MLS side LAFC. However, a surprising loss to Flamengo highlighted areas needing improvement. The Blues ultimately cemented their spot in the Round of 16 with a 3-0 win over Espérance Sportive de Tunis. Despite securing progression, Chelsea is expected to elevate their game significantly for the demanding knockout phase. They finished second in Group D with six points, just behind Flamengo.
In contrast, Benfica has largely exceeded expectations during the group stage. The Portuguese side faced an early test, needing a spirited comeback from two goals down to earn a draw against Boca Juniors in Group C. Following that initial challenge, Benfica found their rhythm emphatically. They delivered a commanding 6-0 victory over Auckland City FC before achieving a significant upset by defeating German giants Bayern Munich 1-0. This impressive run propelled Benfica to finish at the top of their group.
Key Players to Watch
Individual brilliance can often decide tight knockout matches. This fixture features several players capable of turning the tide.
For Chelsea, the spotlight often falls on attacking midfielder Cole Palmer. While his performances in the group stage have been noted as somewhat subdued compared to his usual impact, the expectation is that he will rise to the occasion as the tournament intensifies. His creativity and goal-scoring threat are crucial for Chelsea’s hopes. Midfielder Enzo Fernandez has also shown his playmaking ability, notably providing two assists in Chelsea’s decisive group stage win against Esperance. Young striker Liam Delap, who scored his first Chelsea goal in that match, offers another attacking option.
Benfica boasts veteran quality in Argentinian star Ángel Di María. Despite being 37, Di María remains a formidable presence and a “force to be reckoned with.” He has been a leading scorer for Benfica in the tournament, finding the net three times. His experience, skill, and goal-scoring form are vital if Benfica aims to cause an upset against their English opponents. Andreas Schjelderup also made a significant contribution, scoring the winning goal in their upset victory over Bayern Munich.
Venue and Historical Context
The match takes place at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. This neutral venue in the United States serves as one of the host stadiums for the expanded Club World Cup, bringing top-tier international club football to American fans. The atmosphere is expected to be electric as supporters of both clubs, as well as neutral enthusiasts, gather to watch the action.
While not a frequent pairing, Chelsea and Benfica do have a notable recent history in major European competition. They met in the 2013 UEFA Europa League final. On that occasion, Chelsea emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline, securing the trophy. This past encounter adds an interesting layer to their upcoming Club World Cup meeting.
Tactical Outlook
Based on their group stage performances, this match presents contrasting narratives. Chelsea, despite its deep squad and Premier League pedigree, has appeared somewhat disjointed at times. They will need better cohesion and defensive solidity to progress. Their ability to integrate key attacking players like Palmer into the flow of the game will be paramount.
Benfica, fueled by underdog spirit and key individual performances, seems to have built momentum. Their upset win over Bayern demonstrates their capability against elite opposition. Benfica will likely rely on Di Maria’s attacking prowess and a compact defensive structure to frustrate Chelsea and capitalize on counter-attacks. The midfield battle, potentially featuring Benfica’s Florentino Luís and Orkun Kökçü against Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, could be decisive. Chelsea’s potential starting lineup might include players like Reece James and Levi Colwill in defense, while Benfica could feature Nicolas Otamendi leading their back line.
How to Watch Chelsea vs. Benfica Live
For fans eager to catch this Club World Cup Round of 16 match, there are several ways to tune in depending on your location.
The Chelsea vs. Benfica game is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2025.
The primary kickoff time for viewers in the United States is 4:00 p.m. ET (Eastern Time). This corresponds to 1:00 p.m. PT (Pacific Time). For fans watching across the Atlantic, the time is 8:00 p.m. BST (British Summer Time) on Saturday evening. Supporters in Australia will need to wake up early on Sunday, June 29, as the match kicks off at 5:00 a.m. AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time).
Streaming Options
DAZN (Globally): The main platform broadcasting the entire FIFA Club World Cup tournament, including Chelsea vs. Benfica, is the sports streaming service DAZN. In many countries worldwide, DAZN is offering live streams of the tournament for free. Users can often access this by simply signing up for a free DAZN Freemium account using an email address.
DAZN (USA): For viewers specifically in the United States, the match is available exclusively on DAZN. A subscription is typically required, priced around $13.99 per month. DAZN provides live and on-demand access to a variety of sports content.
Foxtel / Kayo Sports (Australia): In Australia, the match is also being shown by pay TV broadcaster Foxtel and their associated streaming service, Kayo Sports. Kayo Sports subscribers can watch all tournament games. Subscription costs apply, though new customers may find a free trial available.
No Traditional TV: According to reports, this particular match is not scheduled for broadcast on traditional linear television channels in the United States.
Watching with a VPN
If you are traveling or the DAZN broadcast is not available in your specific location, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be a useful tool. A VPN allows you to connect to a server in another country where the free DAZN stream or other services are available. This can potentially enable you to access the match feed. Popular and reliable VPN services like ExpressVPN are often recommended for streaming due to their speed and server locations. Remember to check the terms of service for streaming platforms regarding VPN use.
Using a VPN can also enhance your online privacy and security while streaming, encrypting your internet traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Chelsea and Benfica perform in the Club World Cup group stage?
Chelsea had a mixed group stage performance, described by some as underwhelming despite qualifying. They secured wins against LAFC and Espérance Sportive de Tunis but suffered a surprising loss to Flamengo. They finished second in their group. Benfica, conversely, exceeded expectations. After an opening draw where they came from behind against Boca Juniors, they gained significant momentum with a dominant win over Auckland City FC and a notable 1-0 upset victory against Bayern Munich, ultimately topping their group.
Where and when exactly can I watch the Chelsea vs. Benfica Club World Cup match?
The match is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The main kickoff time is 4:00 p.m. ET in the United States (1:00 p.m. PT). This corresponds to 8:00 p.m. BST in the UK and 5:00 a.m. AEST on Sunday, June 29, in Australia. The game will be live-streamed exclusively on DAZN in the USA and available on DAZN globally (often for free via Freemium account) and Kayo Sports/Foxtel in Australia.
Is the Chelsea vs. Benfica Club World Cup stream free on DAZN?
Whether the stream is free on DAZN depends on your location. In many countries worldwide, DAZN is broadcasting the FIFA Club World Cup matches, including Chelsea vs. Benfica, for free through a DAZN Freemium account which requires just an email signup. However, in the United States, DAZN requires a paid subscription (around $13.99/month) to watch the match. It is best to check the specific DAZN offering for your region.
Match Outlook
This Round of 16 match presents a compelling contrast: Chelsea, with high expectations but inconsistent form, facing a Benfica side that has built significant confidence through surprising results. Chelsea possesses the individual quality to dominate, but they must find greater consistency and defensive discipline. Benfica’s tactical discipline and the potential match-winning moments provided by players like Di Maria make them a dangerous opponent capable of another upset. The neutral venue in Charlotte adds another variable to the contest.
Fans can look forward to a strategic battle between two clubs determined to make a deep run in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Be sure to secure your streaming access via DAZN or other platforms to catch every moment of this exciting knockout tie.
