Club León Excluded from 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Amid Appeal Rejections

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has upheld FIFA's decision to exclude Club León from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup due to regulations prohibiting multiple clubs under the same ownership from participating, as León and Pachuca share ownership through Grupo Pachuca. León and Alajuelense both appealed the decision, with León arguing that external pressures unfairly influenced the ruling and Alajuelense denouncing the integrity risks posed by multi-club ownership. Despite their efforts, CAS rejected all appeals, affirming FIFA's rules and authority to determine León's replacement. Instead of granting Alajuelense a spot, FIFA announced a playoff between Los Angeles FC and Club América to fill the vacancy, intensifying anticipation and debate among North American soccer enthusiasts. León expressed deep disappointment, claiming the decision undermined sporting principles and caused significant emotional harm to their fans and players. The controversy has reignited scrutiny over the multi-ownership model in Mexican football and its implications for international competitions.