FIFA mulling playoff for Club World Cup after Leon ban

FIFA could stage a playoff between Los Angeles FC and Mexico’s Club America to determine the final place in this year’s Club World Cup following the expulsion of Club Leon, world football’s governing body confirmed on Sunday.

A FIFA spokesperson told AFP the organisation was considering staging a one-off match between Major League Soccer’s LAFC and Club America to fill the vacancy created by Leon’s ban.

Leon were expelled from the inaugural edition of the 32-team tournament earlier this month after violating rules concerning multi-club ownership.

Under FIFA’s playoff plan, LAFC, who finished runners-up to Leon in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League, would face Mexican giants America, who were deemed as the “top-ranked team” in confederation ranking, FIFA said.

“FIFA can confirm it is considering one play-off match between LAFC and Club America for the right to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, replacing Club Leon following the decision of the FIFA Appeal Committee,” a FIFA spokesperson told AFP.

“The winner of the play-off would qualify unless legal proceedings rule otherwise.”

Leon were tossed from the tournament — which is being held across the United States from June 14 to July 13 — because the club is owned by Grupo Pachuca, which also controls Liga MX side Pachuca, who are also taking part in the Club World Cup.

The team replacing Leon will line up in Group D of the tournament, where they will face Premier League side Chelsea, Brazil’s Flamengo and ES Tunis of Tunisia.