FIFA has settled the controversy surrounding which club will replace Mexican club Leon in the 2025 Club World Cup.
León was excluded by FIFA due to its joint ownership with Pachuca, which contravenes the competition’s rules. It was reported that FIFA was planning to invite a European team or Saudi club Al-Nassr to replace the Mexican club in the upcoming competition.
Ultimately, FIFA settled on a North American club replacing Club Leon, and decided that a playoff would be played between American club Los Angeles FC and Mexican club America to decide the final World Cup berth.
Los Angeles FC was selected as the runner-up of the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League, which Leon won, while Club America will enter the match as the highest-ranked team in CONCACAF.
The winner will be in a group that includes Esperance of Tunisia, Chelsea of England, and Flamengo of Brazil.
