In an unexpected twist that has shaken the world of football, FIFA announced an unprecedented decision on July 25, 2025: Chelsea FC has been recognized as the first team to participate in the Club World Cup, stripping Real Madrid of five of its historic titles in the competition. This decision, based on a review of historical records and eligibility criteria for the tournament’s new, expanded format, has generated a wave of controversy, especially among the Spanish club’s fans. Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez was quick to respond, issuing a forceful statement that has fueled debate about the legitimacy of FIFA’s decision and the club’s legacy.

The controversy arose after the 2025 Club World Cup final, held on July 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 to win the revamped 32-team tournament. According to FIFA, the restructuring of the tournament, which now resembles the format of the World Cup for international teams, led to a re-evaluation of previous titles. The organization argued that the seven-team tournaments held between 2000 and 2023 did not meet the new standards of a “world championship” due to their limited scale and lack of global representation. As a result, Real Madrid’s five titles (2000, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018) were retroactively disqualified, leaving Chelsea, the winner of the first expanded tournament, as the official “first world champion.”

Florentino Pérez, known for his staunch defense of Real Madrid, reacted immediately at a press conference on July 26. “This decision is a direct attack on the legacy of our club and the history of football. Real Madrid has won these titles with effort, talent, and commitment, and no one can erase what was achieved on the pitch,” Pérez stated. The president indicated that the club is considering legal action against FIFA, arguing that the retroactive effect of the measure is unfair and baseless. He also accused the organization of favoring commercial interests, especially following US President Donald Trump’s presence at Chelsea’s trophy presentation ceremony, an event that drew criticism for its politicized tone.

FIFA’s decision has divided the football community. On the one hand, some experts and fans, especially in England, have supported FIFA’s position, highlighting that the new Club World Cup format, featuring 32 teams from all continents, represents a more inclusive and competitive standard. Chelsea, led by a stellar performance from Cole Palmer, who scored two goals and provided an assist in the final, has benefited from this narrative, cementing itself as a symbol of the “new era” of club football, as FIFA President Gianni Infantino described it. However, supporters of Real Madrid and other historic clubs, such as Barcelona and Bayern Munich, have called the move an attempt to rewrite history to favor European clubs with strong ties to American and Middle Eastern investors.

The economic impact is also at the heart of the debate. The 2025 Club World Cup generated a prize fund of $1 billion, with Chelsea pocketing $114.6 million as champions. Pérez suggested that FIFA’s decision could have been influenced by commercial pressures, especially considering the tournament was held in the United States, with venues such as New Jersey and Miami, and was endorsed by figures such as Trump. Critics have pointed out that the reduction in ticket prices, which fell from $473.90 to $13.40 for some semifinals, reflects a strategy to attract local audiences, which may have favored clubs like Chelsea, perceived as more attractive to the American market.

Pérez’s reaction has galvanized Real Madrid fans, who have flooded social media with messages of support under hashtags like #JusticiaParaRealMadrid. Meanwhile, Chelsea has chosen to stay out of the conflict, with their manager, Enzo Maresca, praising his team’s performance without directly commenting on the controversy. FIFA’s decision, although justified as an effort to modernize the tournament, has opened a deep wound in world football, calling into question how tradition is balanced with the sport’s evolution. With Pérez vowing to fight “until the end,” this chapter is far from over.