FIFA is contemplating a playoff between Los Angeles FC (LAFC) and Mexico’s Club America to decide who will take the final spot in this year’s Club World Cup, following the expulsion of Club Leon.
A FIFA spokesperson confirmed on Sunday that the governing body is looking into a one-off match between LAFC, the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League runners-up, and Club America, who were deemed the highest-ranked team in the confederation. This match would fill the vacancy left by Leon’s exclusion due to a breach of multi-club ownership rules.
Club Leon was expelled from the inaugural 32-team tournament earlier this month after FIFA ruled the club violated regulations concerning multi-club ownership. Leon is owned by Grupo Pachuca, which also controls Liga MX club Pachuca, who are also participating in the tournament.
According to FIFA’s plan, the winner of the proposed playoff between LAFC and Club America would secure the final spot in the 2025 Club World Cup unless further legal proceedings dictate otherwise.
The team selected to replace Leon will be placed in Group D, where they will compete against Premier League giants Chelsea, Brazilian side Flamengo, and Tunisia’s ES Tunis.
With the tournament set to take place across the United States from June 14 to July 13, the playoff could be pivotal in determining the final team to complete the competition’s line-up.
