Why is star Reece James not playing for Chelsea vs. Palmeiras in FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Reece James has been one of Chelsea’s most influential players since returning from injury during the 2024-25 campaign. With a crucial FIFA Club World Cup 2025 quarterfinal against Palmeiras on the line, fans were stunned to see James missing from the squad entirely.
Initial lineups released ahead of the 9 PM ET kickoff showed James not only included, but also wearing the captain’s armband for the match. However, the English right back was a late omission from the starting XI.
It was later confirmed that Reece James sustained an injury during warm-ups at Lincoln Financial Field, ruling him out of the contest. While the severity of the issue has yet to be announced, the knock was serious enough to keep him off both the starting lineup and the bench.
The last-minute setback forced manager Enzo Maresca into a quick reshuffle. Malo Gusto, initially set to start in midfield, moved to right back, while Andrey Santos slotted into the center of the park alongside Enzo Fernandez, who assumed captain duties in James’ absence.
James and an impactful Club World Cup
After a thigh injury sidelined him for three months, James began 2025 on the right foot. Despite a history of setbacks, he found consistent form under Maresca, delivering strong performances that helped Chelsea secure a Champions League spot and win the UEFA Conference League.
In the Club World Cup, James had been a mainstay, sitting out only the match against Espérance Tunis and scoring a stunning free-kick goal against Benfica in the round of 16. Now, another untimely injury clouds his immediate future, with uncertainty surrounding his availability for the remainder of the tournament—and beyond.