Chelsea finally get £94m FIFA update after controversial Club World Cup statement

Chelsea's first opponents at this summer's FIFA Club World Cup have been confirmed for a second time after Los Angeles FC (LAFC) beat Club America in a play-off on Saturday night at the BMO Stadium. The MLS side replace Club Leon after they were kicked out earlier this year.

LAFC, who have former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud on their books, as well as ex-Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, won the game 2-1 in extra time.

The competition, which will see 32 teams battle it out over four weeks, much like an international World Cup, is being run in a new format for the first time this year. Despite not playing in the Champions League for two seasons, Chelsea qualified having lifted the trophy in 2021.

A FIFA disciplinary proceeding found them guilty and the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the decision and rejected Leon's approach for an appeal.

That left FIFA president Gianni Infantino to find a replacement. The LAFC - America match was therefore scheduled and it ensures a reunion for Chelsea with Giroud in Atlanta later this month.

Four days later they go to Philadelphia to play Flamengo. The group is rounded off on June 25 with a match against ES Tunis.

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Chelsea are expected to progress from the group despite having such a short turnaround from the end of their Premier League season and Conference League final last week. Maresca revealed that his players would have 10 days off before returning to training ahead of the Club World Cup.

"Now we have 10 days off," he said following the 4-1 in over Real Betis in Poland. "10 days where we need to recover energy. And then we're going to start the Club World Cup. The target, to be honest, is go game by game. Try to go step by step. But in this moment, we don't have any target for the Club World Cup.

"Now the only target is to recover energy because the season has been very long. Don't forget that we started the conference in the play-off, not even in the group. And it has been a long season."

Although the Club World Cup provides a huge logistical challenge for Chelsea and Maresca, it carries great financial incentives. Just entering the competition is worth almost £10million alone with the potential for that to rise to £29million for simply turning up and playing in the States.

Winning the whole thing could land Chelsea £94million, which would be an enormous bonus. They will also have the added boost of an additional £14million to come from getting into the Champions League, as well.

, after FIFA changed the summer window dates to accommodate for those looking to complete business early. The window will then briefly shut before opening again until the end of August.

Chelsea and their mammoth deals do not have to worry about that, though.