Inside Chelsea's Club World Cup party as celebrations head into early hours of morning in New York
by Bobby Vincent · football.londonChelsea’s FIFA Club World Cup celebrations went deep into the early hours of Monday morning. Not only did the Blues overcome the odds to be crowned the first-ever champions of the revamped global club competition, but Sunday evening in New Jersey also brought their unprecedented 330-day season to its conclusion.
Sixty-four games were played in Chelsea's mammoth season that culminated in Donald Trump handing over the Club World Cup trophy to Reece James. A Conference League trophy has also been added to Chelsea's enormous cabinet, while qualifying for next season's Champions League can be viewed in equal significance.
It is no wonder this young group of Chelsea players wanted to party. In the Peninsula, the hotel the squad and staff stayed at during their time in 'the city that never sleeps', those involved at the club were in no rush to tuck themselves up. The players were excited to reunite with their loved ones and go on holiday, but it was time for one last hoorah in the Big Apple.
You did not have to play for Chelsea during the competition to be invited to the party either. New signing Kendry Paez, who was left out of the 28-man squad in the United States but was with his new teammates throughout the experience, was in attendance.
There was no live DJ at the afterparty, meaning players and staff had the opportunity to show off their music taste on the speakers inside the Peninsula, located on Fifth Avenue and opposite Trump Tower. There was a rooftop bar area for players to get their picture alongside the famous New York skyline.
In fact, in the background at the top of the Peninsula was the iconic Empire State Building, which lit up blue between 10pm and 11pm to pay tribute to Chelsea becoming world champions a few hours before. In the streets of New York post-match, it was evident something had happened - perhaps even to the average American who is not too into soccer.
Billboards of Cole Palmer's face were everywhere throughout the Club World Cup but in the aftermath of the final, where the 23-year-old showed to the world he is that guy, the advertising would instead show a photo of just his face, reading "scary good". Paris Saint-Germain will certainly be having nightmares about him.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Chelsea Club World Cup Champions
Chelsea's Club World Cup Champions collection
Chelsea are FIFA Club World Cup champions. To celebrate, the club has launched a new collection with t-shirts, hoodies and more, including the 2025/26 Home Shirt with 'World Champions 25' printing.
from £22
Chelsea FC
Shop the collection here