Sports
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LAFC vs. América: Club World Cup Playoff Set
LAFC and Club América Vie for Club World Cup Spot After León's Removal
LOS ANGELES — Major League Soccer's LAFC and Liga MX's Club América are poised for a one-off playoff to determine a replacement for Club León in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. FIFA confirmed it is considering the playoff, contingent upon León's unsuccessful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
León was disqualified on March 23rd after FIFA ruled its participation violated competition rules prohibiting two clubs under the same ownership. Grupo Pachuca, which owns both León and fellow Liga MX team Pachuca, failed to meet FIFA's multi-club ownership criteria. León's appeal, along with a separate complaint filed by Costa Rican club Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, will be heard by CAS on April 23rd in Madrid. Both clubs have until April 2nd to submit supporting legal documentation.
FIFA's statement indicated that LAFC, as the runner-up in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League, and Club América, holding the top confederation ranking among non-qualifiers, would contest the playoff. The winner would secure the Club World Cup berth, unless legal proceedings overturn the decision. A similar playoff mechanism was used previously, allowing Red Bull Salzburg to participate due to UEFA ranking.
While FIFA confirmed its consideration of the playoff, Club América has yet to receive formal notification and maintains its focus on the CONCACAF Champions' Cup and Liga MX Clausura tournament. LAFC declined to comment.
León players and officials have expressed outrage at the decision. James Rodríguez called the exclusion a "grave injustice," while teammate Andrés Guardado criticized FIFA for mishandling the situation and creating a rule after León qualified. They emphasized León's on-field victory in the Concacaf Champions Cup, their right to participate, and the impact the decision had on fans. León manager Eduardo Berizzo described the ruling as "hasty" and expressed hope for a resolution allowing León to participate. Rodríguez confirmed he intends to remain with León despite rumors of a potential move following the controversy.
The 32-team Club World Cup, taking place across the United States, is scheduled to commence on June 14th, culminating in a final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 13th. The tournament's group stage includes prominent clubs such as Palmeiras, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Inter Milan.
LOS ANGELES — Major League Soccer's LAFC and Liga MX's Club América are poised for a one-off playoff to determine a replacement for Club León in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. FIFA confirmed it is considering the playoff, contingent upon León's unsuccessful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
León was disqualified on March 23rd after FIFA ruled its participation violated competition rules prohibiting two clubs under the same ownership. Grupo Pachuca, which owns both León and fellow Liga MX team Pachuca, failed to meet FIFA's multi-club ownership criteria. León's appeal, along with a separate complaint filed by Costa Rican club Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, will be heard by CAS on April 23rd in Madrid. Both clubs have until April 2nd to submit supporting legal documentation.
FIFA's statement indicated that LAFC, as the runner-up in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League, and Club América, holding the top confederation ranking among non-qualifiers, would contest the playoff. The winner would secure the Club World Cup berth, unless legal proceedings overturn the decision. A similar playoff mechanism was used previously, allowing Red Bull Salzburg to participate due to UEFA ranking.
While FIFA confirmed its consideration of the playoff, Club América has yet to receive formal notification and maintains its focus on the CONCACAF Champions' Cup and Liga MX Clausura tournament. LAFC declined to comment.
León players and officials have expressed outrage at the decision. James Rodríguez called the exclusion a "grave injustice," while teammate Andrés Guardado criticized FIFA for mishandling the situation and creating a rule after León qualified. They emphasized León's on-field victory in the Concacaf Champions Cup, their right to participate, and the impact the decision had on fans. León manager Eduardo Berizzo described the ruling as "hasty" and expressed hope for a resolution allowing León to participate. Rodríguez confirmed he intends to remain with León despite rumors of a potential move following the controversy.
The 32-team Club World Cup, taking place across the United States, is scheduled to commence on June 14th, culminating in a final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 13th. The tournament's group stage includes prominent clubs such as Palmeiras, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Inter Milan.
