Esperance Set to Face Chelsea in 2025 Club World Cup, Reghecampf Seeks Another Upset

Esperance of Tunisia will play Chelsea of England in an exciting group stage match in the 2025 Club World Cup. As part of an expanded tournament schedule that will run from June 15 to July 13, 2025, the match will be held in the United States.

Esperance will face Brazil's Flamengo and Mexico's Club Leon in Group D in addition to Chelsea. The fact that Esperance's new coach, Laurentiu Reghecampf, has a history of defeating Chelsea—he notably overcame the English powerhouses in the 2013 UEFA Europa League when guiding Steaua Bucharest—adds an intriguing factor to this matchup.

In the Round of 16 that year, Reghecampf’s side achieved a 1-0 win at home, with Raul Rusescu scoring the match-winner. This victory over Chelsea, then coached by Rafael Benitez, made headlines, as Reghecampf’s tactical approach outsmarted the Spanish coach.

But Steaua were knocked out after Chelsea beat them 3-1 in the return leg. Reghecamp also met Chelsea in the 2013-14 Champions League, although his Steaua side lost 1-0 in London and 4-0 in Bucharest.

Will his previous victory give Esperance the motivation they need to defeat the London side at the 2025 Club World Cup as Reghecamp prepares to face Chelsea again?