Can Chelsea Register Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro for Club World Cup Knockouts?

Chelsea have made more attacking additions during the Club World Cup.

João Pedro has joined Chelsea from Brighton. / IMAGO/IPS

The addition of a Club World Cup to the summer itinerary brought about a change to the summer transfer window, which opened earlier than usual.

Chelsea attempted to make the most of this ’special’ period by signing Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, but they were unable to broker a deal with Milan for the services of Mike Maignan, their first-choice goalkeeper.

Since the window re-opened on June 16—the day of Chelsea’s first group-stage outing—the west London club returned swiftly to the market in order to bolster Enzo Maresca’s squad for 2025–26 and beyond.

João Pedro has completed his move from Brighton & Hove Albion and has now been followed through the door by Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens in the constant quest to rejuvenate Maresca’s attack. The pair have the potential to be Chelsea cornerstones for the next however many years, but could they also make an immediate impact during the latter stages of the ongoing Club World Cup?

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When Does the Club World Cup Secondary Registration Deadline Close?

João Pedro has already made his Chelsea debut. / Susana Vera-Reuters via Imagn Images

FIFA opened a secondary registration window on June 27 for clubs competing in the United States, allowing teams to add up to two new players to their Club World Cup squads. This window closed on Thursday, July 3, following the conclusion of the first knockout round.

Chelsea were able to add Pedro to their squad during the secondary registration window after confirming his transfer on July 2, with the Brazilian even making his debut in the 2–1 quarter-final victory over Palmeiras three days later. He impressed during his second-half cameo.

Jamie Gittens, however, was not able to be registered in Chelsea’s squad regardless as he had already played for Dortmund at the tournament. Players are not permitted to feature for more than one team in the competition, meaning the winger will have to wait until the Blues’ pre-season matches in August for his debut.

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When Are Chelsea Playing Next at the Club World Cup?

Chelsea face Fluminense in the last four. / Marco Bello-Reuters via Imagn Images

A second-place finish in Group D after losing to Flamengo on Matchday 2 set up a round of 16 clash with Benfica in Charlotte.

Captain Reece James handed the Blues a 1–0 lead in the second-half, but their progress was thwarted by a two-hour weather-enforced delay and Àngel Di María’s stoppage time penalty. However, an early red card in the extended period for the Portuguese side allowed Chelsea to cruise, and they eventually claimed a 4–1 victory.

Maresca’s side then conquered Palmeiras in the quarter-final thanks to a late own goal, earning them a semi-final duel with another Brazilian side in Fluminense. That fixture takes place on Tuesday, July 8.

Should Chelsea reach the final, they will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid on Sunday, July 13.

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