April 1 – With Club León being replaced in the FIFA Club World Cup due to failing to meet FIFA’s multi-club ownership rules, a spot has opened up in the tournament, billed as the richest club competition the world has ever seen.
That place may now go to a single winner-take-all play-off between Major League Soccer’s (MLS) LAFC and Ligue MX giant Club América. At stake will be millions of dollars.
“FIFA can confirm it is considering one play-off match between LAFC and Club América for the right to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025,” a FIFA statement read.
Club León were due to compete in Group D alongside Flamengo, Espérance Sportive de Tunis and Chelsea, which would see Olivier Giroud play against one of his old teams should LAFC advance.
Despite FIFA’s statement, nothing is written in stone yet, as Club León have taken their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), while Costa Rican club Alajuelense have brought a case against Club León, which is also awaiting appeal with CAS.
Where, when and how the play-off match would happen has yet to be discussed. FIFA has been keen to declare that the sporting integrity of the tournament passes all muster, so any play-off game would have to be played on a neutral site to maintain that picture.
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