Chelsea: Can Joao Pedro play against Palmeiras at Club World Cup?

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Evening Standard

·2 July 2025

Chelsea: Can Joao Pedro play against Palmeiras at Club World Cup?

The Brazilian joins the Blues from Brighton and is in line for a debut this weekend

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Chelsea have signed Joao Pedro from Brighton.

The Blues reached an agreement with the Seagulls for the Brazilian last weekend. The fee for the 23-year-old is £55million plus £5m in add-ons and an official announcement was made on Wednesday.

Pedro has signed a seven-year contract as the Blues move to bolster their attack even further after completing a £30m deal for Liam Delap earlier in the month.

Pedro is coming off an impressive season for Brighton in which he netted 10 Premier League goals whilst chipping in with six assists in 27 appearances.

He did, however, miss three of the last five games of the campaign through suspension as he was sent-off for violent conduct in a 4-2 loss away at Brentford.

Pedro is not expected to be the only new Chelsea arrival in the coming days as the club’s move for Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens could be wrapped up ‘imminently’ as the two clubs’ representatives continue negotiations.

Can Joao Pedro play for Chelsea at Club World Cup?

The Blues are currently in the USA for the Club World Cup, reaching the quarter-final stage thanks to a 4-1 extra-time win over Benfica in what was an extraordinary game.

Because Chelsea wrapped up a deal for Pedro before Thursday’s deadline, the Brazilian will be in contention to make his debut against Palmeiras this weekend.

This is because the rule states teams in the competition can add at least two new players to their Club World Cup squad.

A statement reads: “During the period from 27 June to 3 July 2025, clubs may replace players whose contracts have naturally expired during the competition.

“During that period, clubs may also add up to two new players, who will not count towards the maximum of 35 players on the final list.”

Chelsea will have Nicolas Jackson back from suspension against the Brazilian side after he sat out the final group game and the last-16 showdown as a result of being sent-off in the loss to Flamengo.