Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid are set to clash at the Rose Bowl Stadium in what promises to be one of the marquee matchups of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group stage. However, noticeably absent from the squad named by PSG head coach Luis Enrique is star winger Ousmane Dembele, raising questions about his status.
This will be PSG’s first match since lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy, following a dominant 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final. Despite a long and grueling season, the French champions still face major challenges ahead, starting with Atletico before taking on Botafogo and the Seattle Sounders in Group B.
With 32 teams competing in this expanded edition of the tournament, this matchup marks a historic moment for both clubs—it’s the first time either team is taking part in the Club World Cup. Intriguingly, it’s also the first-ever meeting between the two European giants, with their long-awaited showdown finally taking place on American soil.
Atletico Madrid are widely seen as PSG’s toughest opponent in the group stage, making a strong start on Matchday 1 all the more crucial. One major concern for Luis Enrique is the absence of Dembele, a potential Ballon d’Or contender, who is missing not only from the starting XI but from the matchday roster altogether.
Why is Dembele out?
Ousmane Dembele will miss the clash with Atletico Madrid due to injury. The winger sustained a quadriceps strain on June 5 during France’s UEFA Nations League semifinal against Spain. He was subbed off in the 76th minute, and the injury was confirmed shortly afterward.
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According to reports, Dembele could be sidelined for all three of PSG’s group stage matches in the Club World Cup 2025. That forces Luis Enrique to rethink his attacking plans and find alternatives in the final third.
For this matchup, the coach has turned to Gonçalo Ramos to lead the line, supported by Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the wings. While Ramos lacks Dembele’s dynamic movement, his finishing ability and physical presence could prove decisive for PSG’s attacking efforts.
