FIFA Explores Playoff for Club World Cup Spot

FIFA is considering a one-game playoff between LAFC and Club America to determine which team will replace Club Leon in the 2025 Club World Cup. Leon was disqualified due to multi-club ownership issues with Pachuca, both controlled by Grupo Pachuca, violating FIFA's regulations against ownership of multiple clubs in the competition. LAFC, the runner-up to Leon in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League, and Club America, the highest-ranked team not qualified, are the potential contenders for Leon's spot. The decision has prompted Grupo Pachuca to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, claiming that the clubs operate independently. The playoff winner will face teams like Chelsea, Flamengo, and ES Tunis in Group D of the tournament. Costa Rica's Alajuelense, whose complaint led to Leon's ouster, also has an appeal pending with CAS.