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FIFA considering play-off game to replace Club Leon at the Club World Cup 2025

FIFA is reportedly considering arranging a one-game play-off between LAFC and Club America to replace Club Leon, who were controversially removed from the tournament.

Mar 31, 2025, 10:21 AM5 min read

FIFA considering play-off game to replace Club Leon at the Club World Cup 2025-sportzpoint.com

FIFA is reportedly considering the possibility of arranging a one-game play-off between Major League Soccer (MLS) club Los Angeles FC and Liga MX giants Club America to decide which team will represent the expelled Club Leon at the 2025 Club World Cup.  

A FIFA spokesperson disclosed on Sunday that the organization is actively weighing the feasibility of this play-off match, whereas the winner of this playoff would also receive $9.55 million in prize money given by FIFA to teams qualified from the Concacaf zone.

However, FIFA's consideration does not include the Costa Rican side Deportiva Alajuelense after the club lodged a complaint in 2024, which led to Leon's subsequent removal from the tournament.

Read Also | FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Draw: Groups, Format, and Schedule

The controversial exclusion of Club Leon

Necaxa v Leon - Torneo Clausura 2025 Liga MX
(Image Credit | Getty Images)

Costa Rican outfit Alajuelense’s complaint regarding the multi-ownership issue initiated the investigation by the FIFA Appeal Committee back in November 2024, which eventually led to Club Leon’s exclusion.

FIFA announced the decision to expel the Mexican side Club Leon from the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup 2025 last week due to the club's shared ownership with Pachuca, another team that competes in Mexico's top division, Liga MX.

Pachuca also qualified for the Club World Cup after winning the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup, while Club Leon earned its qualification after clinching the 2023 edition of the same tournament. However, Grupo Pachuca owns both the teams and holds stakes in Spanish side Real Oviedo and some other clubs as well.

This joint ownership violated the multi-club ownership requirements defined under Article 10, paragraph 1 of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Regulations outlined by FIFA.

FIFA is considering a play-off game to replace Leon

FIFA reportedly has two candidates to replace James Rodriguez's Club Leon  in 2025 Club World Cup - World Soccer Talk
Olivier Giroud, LAFC striker (on the left) and Brian Rodríguez, Club America winger (on the right).

According to different sources, FIFA is considering an unconventional approach to organize a single play-off game to determine which team would replace Club Leon in the competition.

Renowned football journalist Ben Jacobs has indicated a showdown between Club America and Los Angeles FC is on the cards, with the winner securing the coveted last place in the Group D, consisting of Chelsea, Flamengo, and Esperance.

The FIFA spokesperson stated the following on Sunday:

LAFC would participate as runner-up to Club Léon in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League through which Club Léon had qualified, Club América would participate as the top-ranked team in the FIFA Club World Cup confederation ranking through which qualification is also determined.

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

The plans to commence the process of arranging a play-off will begin if Club Leon loses their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to be reinstated to the Club World Cup.

CAS has called for a hearing on April 23 in Madrid, Spain, where Leon and Deportiva Alajuelense both will be presented the opportunity to put forward their arguments. Alajuelense had previously filed the complaint at CAS, asserting that León's inclusion was against FIFA regulations as they have also claimed a spot in the tournament instead.

Read Also | Costa Rican side Deportiva Alajuelense demand Club World Cup spot following Club Leon's exclusion

Both clubs must submit their legal documents by April 2, prior to the hearing on the 23rd. Any announcements concerning a possible substitute will likely not be made until the legal issues are settled.

"I think it's a grave injustice": James Rodriguez expressed his disappointment

James Rodriguez. (Image Source | Fanzword)

The exclusion of Club Leon has heavily affected the Mexican side's talisman player, the Colombian star James Rodriguez. The former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder did not hesitate to express his disappointment regarding this decision. He said:

I think it's a grave injustice. We all believe that. We won on the pitch. The club and the players are hurt by this. If we're out, it's not fair. The team that would replace us would be stained, and football would be stained.

So many fans have planned to travel to the tournament; how do you tell them that they can't go? I have a lot of questions about all this. It's odd. I think FIFA has to get their things together. Football is stained by this. 

If we deserve it, we will be there' - Club América's coach André Jardine  discusses taking León's spot in the FIFA Club World Cup | Goal.com India
Andre Jardine. (Image Credit | GOAL)

ESPN revealed that when asked about qualifying for the tournament, Club América head coach Andre Jardine assured his team's eagerness to earn the spot by battling on the field. According to him:

León should go to the Club World Cup. I'm sad for the institution, and I'd like them to find a solution so they can go,

"If it doesn't happen, then América has been doing things well for a long time. It's true that they haven't yet won the Concacaf Champions Cup, which is a dream of ours and a very clear objective.

"We're leading most of the Mexican tournaments and the Concacaf ranking, which is one of the criteria. If you ask me if I want to go to the Club World Cup, of course it's true, but I'd like to go to the Club World Cup by achieving it on the field. That's what we're working towards.

However, nothing has been finalized yet, and FIFA will also have to wait until the CAS hearing is able to curve out any solutionary measure. 

Read Also | FIFA announce Club World Cup 2025 prize money: USD 1 billion pool, winner to get record USD 125 million

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Club Leon gaffer slams FIFA and Gianni Infantino over Club World Cup exclusion

Club Leon head coach Eduardo Berizzo has slammed FIFA president Gianni Infantino and the organization over the club's controversial exclusion from the 2025 Club World Cup.

Apr 18, 2025, 2:20 PM3 min read

Club Leon gaffer slams FIFA and Gianni Infantino over Club World Cup exclusion-sportzpoint.com
Club Leon head coach Eduardo Berizzo (Image Credit | Getty images)

Club Leon boss Eduardo Berizzo has come out and slammed FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino over his team being omitted from the 2025 Club World Cup due to rules regarding multiple-club ownership.

In March, FIFA decided that Leon were not qualified to play in the first 32-team competition after they failed to match FIFA's multi-club ownership requirements, and Infantino has since donated their place in a playoff game between Club America and Los Angeles FC.

But the Mexican club has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and, at a news conference, Berizzo had some strong words against the decision.

Read Also | FIFA considering play-off game to replace Club Leon at the Club World Cup 2025

Club Leon boss slams FIFA and Infantino

Club Leon gaffer slams FIFA and Gianni Infantino over Club World Cup exclusion-sportzpoint.com
(Image Source | X)

Club Leon's head coach, Eduardo Berizzo, discussed how the decision has affected the team's performance after the club lost to Cruz Azul. He stated:

The FIFA President cannot comment on a supposed replacement without waiting for the ruling. I think his words carry significant weight and he shouldn’t have commented; he should have remained neutral until the CAS ruling.

The rules of competition of the 2025 Club World Cup declared that clubs owned by the same legal entity cannot compete. FIFA decided that Leon and the other Mexican clubs competing in the tournament belonged to the same ownership structure, but Berizzo has criticized FIFA for the lack of transparency. He said:

If the world were the way I wanted it to be, people like that wouldn’t lead organisations like this. FIFA must demonstrate that it is an organisation of integrity, and it isn’t. In the past, it hasn’t been."

Not only with our elimination, but with all this, which involves a fix, a hidden interest to see which team goes, who doesn’t , why teams go, why others leave or why you get eliminated. As long as there’s no clarity or transparency about that, they’ll always remain suspects."

We live in a football world, in organisations and institutions that, instead of representing transparency and setting an example for all citizens, increasingly make us suspicious and make us feel small in the face of what’s happening."

In a football world where everyone should feel supported, a part of, and proud to be a part of, sometimes you feel like running away.

Club Leon gaffer slams FIFA and Gianni Infantino over Club World Cup exclusion-sportzpoint.com
(Image Source | X)

The Leon boss also targeted his country's national association, the Mexican Football Federation. Berizzo claimed:

You feel treated unfairly; you feel part of a football system governed by individuals who work for subterranean interests that make decisions. It's very striking that the Mexican Football Federation hasn't said a word about this issue.

Read Also | FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Draw: Groups, Format, and Schedule

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AFC and CONCACAF Chiefs express concerns over 64-team World Cup expansion

AFC president, Shaikh Salman, and Concacaf president, Victor Montagliani, have raised their voices against the proposal of expansion to a 64-team World Cup.

Apr 15, 2025, 11:11 AM5 min read

AFC and CONCACAF Chiefs express concerns over 64-team World Cup expansion-sportzpoint.com

The controversy over the potential increase in the 2030 FIFA World Cup roster to 64 teams has gained momentum, with key football officials coming out to oppose it. The Concacaf and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have joined forces against this controversial suggestion.

Concacaf chief Victor Montagliani has joined the increasing call to oppose the plan to increase the World Cup teams to 64, claiming increasing the number of teams "would not be the right move".

AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa also warned against the expansion to 64 teams and the ‘chaos’ it could lead to, telling Agence France Press (AFP), “Personally, I don’t agree."

AFC and CONCACAF Presidents show concerns over expansion

AFC and CONCACAF Chiefs express concerns over 64-team World Cup expansion-sportzpoint.com
Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez. (Image Source | X)

In March's FIFA Council, Uruguayan football chief Ignacio Alonso proposed expansion of the 2030 World Cup. FIFA later announced that it would study the proposal.

Since then, Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez has been the frontrunning campaigner for an expansion to 64 teams. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been silent on the idea, but according to sources close to FIFA, he favours the plan and came up with it in the first place.

Conmebol have often been his path to market for alterations that he desires – the most stunning of these recently having been for a biennial World Cup cycle.

Last week, Dominguez supported a tournament extension from 48 teams to 64 teams in the 2030 World Cup as a once-off for the centenary celebrations for the global finals. Dominguez said:

We are convinced that the celebration of the centenary will be something unique, because it has only once been 100 years old. And for this reason, we are proposing, for one, to carry out this anniversary with 64 teams, across three simultaneous continents. So that all countries have the opportunity to live a world experience, and so that no one is left out of this party even if it is played everywhere, it is our party.

AFC and CONCACAF Chiefs express concerns over 64-team World Cup expansion-sportzpoint.com
Victor Montagliani, Concacaf President. (Image Source | X)

With Victor Montagliani joining the mounting anti-64-team World Cup campaign, he is joined by fellow FIFA vice presidents Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa (AFC president) and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.

Following Infantino, they are the next three strongest political officials in the world governing body. Montagliani told ESPN:

At Concacaf, we’ve shown that we are open to change by supporting the Women’s World Cup expansion and the continuous evolution of our Confederation’s men’s and women’s national team and club events,”

I don’t believe expanding the men’s World Cup to 64 teams is the right move for the tournament itself and the broader football ecosystem, from national teams to club competitions, leagues, and players.

AFC and CONCACAF Chiefs express concerns over 64-team World Cup expansion-sportzpoint.com
AFC president Sheikh Salman and FIFA president Gianni Infantino in 2022. (Image Source | X)

Yesterday, AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa cautioned against expansion to 64 teams and the 'chaos' it might bring, telling Agence France-Presse: "Personally, I don't agree." He further stated:

If the question is open to amendment, then the door will not only be open to increasing the tournament to 64 teams,"

But somebody will come along and insist on increasing the amount to 132 teams. Where would we get to then? It would be chaos.

Even the president of UEFA, Aleksander Ceferin, who also serves as FIFA vice president, joined the chorus of criticism. He stated:

It is not a good idea for the World Cup itself, and it's not a good idea for our qualifiers as well," 

I don't know where it came from, but it's odd that we didn't know anything prior to this proposal at the FIFA Council."

Future World Cups and logistical issues

AFC and CONCACAF Chiefs express concerns over 64-team World Cup expansion-sportzpoint.com
(Image Source | X)

Excitement is rising for the first-ever 48-team World Cup to be staged in 2026 by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

This event is a huge rise from the traditional 32-team setup, and any further expansion to 64 would double matches to a mind-boggling 128. Contrary to this, the forthcoming 2026 event will host 104 matches to be staged in 16 host cities.

Read Also | FIFA World Cup 2026: Teams qualified so far

The logistical issues for the 2030 World Cup are already significant, with its games spread across three continents. Its initial host nations are Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, but Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina will be hosting the milestone opening games, marking a century since the tournament's first edition was held in Uruguay.

FIFA has yet to comment publicly on the feasibility of this proposal, although they did confirm their duty to consider it.

Read Also | FIFA dismisses Morocco's claims about Western Sahara in the 2030 FIFA World Cup bid assessment report

The proposal is expected to be a subject of debate at FIFA's upcoming 75th Congress, which takes place annually on May 15 in Paraguay's capital, Asunción, which houses the headquarters of Conmebol. The congress agenda is yet to be published, but the plan for a 64-team World Cup will supposedly receive intense local lobbying in the backrooms and corridors of FIFA.

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Bayern Munich's Left Back Alphonso Davies sidelined for six months with ACL Injury

Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich faced a big blow as Alphonso Davies was sidelined for six months with an ACL injury. Read how it happened and when it happened.

Mar 27, 2025, 8:13 AM3 min read

Bayern Munich's Left Back Alphonso Davies sidelined six months with ACL Injury-sportzpoint.com

Bayern Munich's Canadian left-back Alphonso Davies will miss six months due to a torn ACL, ending his season. The left-back suffered the injury during Canada's 2-1 victory over the United States of America last weekend. As a result, he was replaced after just 12 minutes. Even though the players and coaching staff seemed initially upbeat. It appears that the problem is more serious than previously.

Bayern Munich's Left Back Alphonso Davies sidelined six months with ACL Injury-sportzpoint.com
Bayern Munich's Left Back Alphonso Davies sidelined for six months with ACL Injury | Image Credit: Sporting News

The Club revealed that Davies will now be sidelined for at least six months due to a tear in his right knee's cruciate ligament. This conclusion was made after tests on the issue were conducted in Munich on Wednesday. He is scheduled for surgery, on Wednesday.

Bayern Munich, who continue to be in the running for the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League this season were depressed by the news. The team will also need to address Dayot Upamecano's absence for several weeks due to left knee soreness.  So, Alphonso Davies' news is not the only issue for the Bavarians from the international break.

Alphonso Davies would not participate in the UEFA Champions League or the FIFA Club World Cup this summer. Vincent Kompany, the head coach of Bayern Munich, is disappointed by the news, as his team is trying for both the German title and the European cup this season.

Alphonso Davies has been a consistent member of the Bayern Munich team, this season. In 30 games across all the competitions, he contributed three goals including two assists. With eight games remaining in the Bundesliga title race, Bayern Munich led Bayer Leverkusen by six points. Next Month, the German giant will play Inter Milan in a crucial UEFA Champions League quarterfinal match.

The Bavarians have been hit with a massive setback as they will miss Alphonso Davies for the remainder season, which means Vincent Kompany will have to play his alternative. Alphonso Davies has been impressive for the Bavarians under Vincent Kompany. His presence was significant for the team in the matches, helping them maintain their lead at the top of the table and keeping their UEFA Champions League aspiring alive.

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FIFA announce Club World Cup 2025 prize money: USD 1 billion pool, winner to get record USD 125 million

FIFA has announced an astonishing prize pool of USD 1 billion for the Club World Cup 2025, as the winners of the inaugural 32-team tournament will earn up to a record USD 125 million.

Mar 27, 2025, 7:03 AM4 min read

FIFA announce Club World Cup 2025 prize money: USD 1 billion pool, winner to get record USD 125 million-sportzpoint.com
(Image Credit | Getty)

FIFA has announced a lucrative financial reward for the 32 participating teams in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025, set to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025.

The ultimate governing body of the football world had already announced a whopping USD 1 billion prize pool for the tournament earlier. On March 27th, Wednesday, FIFA confirmed that the champions of the newly-structured global club competition can take home a record prize money of USD 125 million.

Read Also | FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Draw: Groups, Format, and Schedule

FIFA has also announced a solidarity plan to elevate the current financial status of football around the globe, as FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed the target of an additional 250 million USD being provided to club football across the world.

FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Prize money distribution

Ronaldo with Gianni Infantino.
(Image Credit | BeIn Sports)

FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced the financial rewards and the solidarity programme to help club football in a statement on Wednesday. Infantino stated the following:

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 prize money has been announced.

The winners will earn up to 125 USD million, with USD 1 billion of prize money going to the 32 participating clubs and a target of USD 250 million in solidarity for club football across the world. Critically, all revenue will be distributed to club football with FIFA’s reserves remaining untouched.

The distribution model of the FIFA Club World Cup reflects the pinnacle of club football and represents the biggest-ever prize money for a football tournament comprising a seven-match group stage and playoff format.

In addition to the prize money for the participating teams, there is an unprecedented solidarity investment programme which will undoubtedly provide a significant boost in our ongoing efforts in making football truly global.

Finally, FIFA will neither retain any funding for this tournament, as all revenues will be distributed to club football, nor will it touch FIFA’s reserves, which are set aside for global football development through the 211 FIFA Member Associations.

Stage

Per club

Group Stage (three matches)

USD 2.0 million win/1.0 million draw per club

Round of 16

+ USD 7.5 million

Quarter-Final

+ USD 13.125 million

Semi-Final

+ USD 21.0 million

Finalist

+ USD 30.0 million

Winner

+ USD 40.0 million

The prizes for the tournament will continue to increase as performance bonuses are paid, with a total of $475 million being divided according to the teams' performances. This will mean that the team who has the most wins in a possible seven matches will be able to take a share of a maximum prize fund of $125 million.

The format of this tournament has been professionally structured by FIFA along with the European Club Association (ECA) so that due payment can be made based on the stature and success of the teams taking part. Therefore, the competition will become the richest club tournament ever arranged in a seven-match format.

Significantly, top European teams will get a minimum of $40 million, with South American teams getting $15.21 million. Teams from CONCACAF, CAF, and AFC will all get at least $9.55 million, while Oceania teams will receive $3.58 million.

Continent

Per club

Europe

USD 12.81-38.19 million *

South America

USD 15.21 million

North, Central American & Caribbean

USD 9.55 million

Asia

USD 9.55 million

Africa

USD 9.55 million

Oceania

USD 3.58 million

*Determined by a ranking based on sporting and commercial criteria

The FIFA Club World Cup will welcome significant expansion for the first time in its history. The tournament will feature 32 teams, a notable increase from the previous format that hosted only seven teams.

The newly structured tournament is scheduled to take place from June 15 to July 13, 2025, and will be held in 12 stadiums in the United States.

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Costa Rican side Deportiva Alajuelense demand Club World Cup spot following Club Leon's exclusion

Following the removal of Mexican side Club Leon from the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, Costa Rican club Deportiva Alajuelense are sparking controversy, claiming to be awarded the slot.

Mar 26, 2025, 12:00 PM9 min read

Costa Rican side Deportiva Alajuelense demand Club World Cup spot following Club Leon's exclusion-sportzpoint.com
(Image Credit | Alajuelense on X)

FIFA announced on Friday, March 21st, that the FIFA Appeal Committee has decided to exclude Mexican side Club Leon from the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

The decision has been made due to the violation of FIFA regulations that prohibit multi-ownership among teams competing in the same tournament.

However, Costa Rican side Deportiva Alajuelense have sparked up significant controversy as they have claimed the vacant slot in an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), alleging that Leon and Pachuca, the Mexican clubs sharing common ownership, should be debarred from the tournament.

Read Also | FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Draw: Groups, Format, and Schedule

Club Leon's exclusion from the FIFA Club World Cup 2025

Club Leon won’t be allowed to compete in the Club World Cup due to Fifa’s multi-ownership rules
Club leon (Imge Credit | Getty)

FIFA confirmed on Friday that Club Leon failed to meet the criteria stated in Article 10, Paragraph 1 of the tournament regulations. The Club ownership rule has been explained in this article, which clearly states the following: 

No individual or legal entity may have control or influence over more than one club participating in the Competition, such control or influence being defined in this context as:

i) holding a majority of the shareholders’ voting rights;

ii) having the right to appoint or remove a majority of the members of the administrative, management or supervisory body of the club;

iii) being a shareholder and alone controlling a majority of the shareholders’ voting rights pursuant to an agreement entered into with other shareholders of the club; or

iv) being able to exercise by any means a decisive influence in the decision-making of the club. 

According to these rules, Club Leon failed to comply with the regulation as they are owned by Grupo Pachuca, which also owns Pachuca, another Mexican side participating in this tournament from the Concacaf spot.

FIFA stated in an official statement that "Pachuca and Club León failed to meet the criteria on multi-club ownership". The statment says:

After having evaluated all evidence on file, the chairman of the FIFA Appeal Committee has decided that CF Pachuca and Club León failed to meet the criteria on multi-club ownership defined under article 10 paragraph 1 of the Regulations for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.

In line with article 10 paragraph 4 of the Regulations for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, FIFA has determined that Club León will be removed from the competition, with the club to be admitted as a replacement to be announced in due course.

Recently, representatives from the Pachuca and Leon football clubs met with FIFA to insist that the two clubs operate independently, even though they share some shareholders. Despite the efforts, FIFA was not convinced and ruled against Leon, leaving another controversy concerning the participating teams.

Club Leon earned their place in the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup as they won the Concacaf Champions Cup in 2023, a tournament that was also won by Pachuca in 2024, ensuring their qualification as well.

Leon decided to appeal against FIFA's decision

Pachuca and Club Leon published an official club statement following the decision, stating that they are "dissatisfied with this decision" and will "defend what was earned on the field in a fair". The statement is as follows:

We have just been informed by FIFA that one of the two teams: Pachuca and León, participants in the 2025 Club World Cup, will be excluded from the competition. We are dissatisfied with this decision, and we will appeal it to the highest levels, including the highest sports tribunal, as all the evidence and documentation proving our administrative and sporting independence were presented in a timely and transparent manner.

In our case, we will defend what was earned on the field in a fair, professional manner, and in accordance with the competition rules.

America v Tigres UANL - Final Torneo Apertura 2023 Liga MX
Mikel Arriola. (Image Credit | Getty)

Mikel Arriola, the Mexico Football Federation president, has also assured that they will fight for "Liga MX to keep its three spots" in the upcoming tournament. He said:

Technically, we will push for that. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee is the one with the authority to define spots and quotas for each league, but we will certainly defend our three spots,

There is constant communication with Club León. Since this decision became known, I have been in contact with the Pachuca Group, but I believe we all need to be very cautious and wait for a process among all parties, in this case between a club and FIFA. We will remain attentive. It’s a legal process that will need to be supported by both the League and the Federation. There will be an appeal, and we will remain attentive and wait.

Paris 2024 Olympic Games - Day Fifteen
Víctor Montagliani (on the left) with FIFA president Infantino. (Image Credit | Getty)

Víctor Montagliani, the Concacaf president, has also shown his support for Club Leon regarding this incident. The Concacaf chief expressed his support via a statement during an interview with TUDN México.

I support León because they won the ConcaChampions on the field. We hope that at the end of this legal process, León will be allowed to play in the Club World Cup,

Club Leon has decided to appeal against FIFA at CAS with the backing of Concacaf, along with Liga MX, which already has Monterrey and Pachuca as participants in the Club World Cup.

Leon was drawn in Group D along with the English side Chelsea, Brazilian side Flamengo, and Tunisian side Esperance. However, the vacant berth left by Leon has been targeted by clubs such as Alajuelense, Club America, Tigres UNAL etc.

Alajuelense’s previous complaint and CAS appeal

TOPSHOT-FBL-CONCACAF-CENTRAL-AMERICAN-CUP-ALAJUELENSE-REAL ESTELI
Alajuelense at the Concacaf Central American Cup. (Image Credit | Getty)

Interestingly, Alajuelense’s complaint regarding the multi-ownership issue initiated the investigation by the FIFA Appeal Committee, leading to Club Leon’s exclusion.

The Costa Rican side is the most well-positioned team at this moment to take the vacant spot left by Club Leon in the Club World Cup, as it currently holds the highest ranking in Concacaf, excluding clubs from MLS and Liga MX, which have already been assigned their entitled spots.

Alajuelense also won the Concacaf Central American Cup consecutively in 2023 and 2024, strengthening their argument to be awarded a spot in the Club World Cup.

Alajuelense quickly responded to comments made by Víctor Montagliani, the president of Concacaf, who publicly expressed support for Club Leon. 

The Club condemned the comments by Montagliani in an official statement published in the Club's socials. The statement partly reads:

In these statements, Mr. Montagliani expressed his explicit support for Club León—an institution currently excluded by FIFA due to violations of integrity rules related to multi-ownership—and expressed his desire for the club to be reinstated in the tournament, disregarding the ongoing legal process before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS), initiated by our institution.

Both Liga Deportiva Alajuelense and Club León are part of CONCACAF. Therefore, the statements of the president of the Confederation constitute a serious transgression of the duty of neutrality, the principle of impartiality, and the institutional loyalty that should govern the actions of any international sports authority.

Alajuelense have stirred up an intentional controversy with some strong backings

Unafut y organización de la liga española unen fuerzas para transformar el  fútbol tico: Conozca los detalles del acuerdo
 José Carlos Loaiza Gallego. UNAFUT's executive director and former La Liga executive. (Image Credit | La Republica)

Alajuelense have put up argument that they must replace Club Leon immediately, but their case does not appear to be founded on the set rules or their acknowledgement. The club contends that if Leon is eliminated, they should be considered as the replacement from the Concacaf zone. 

Their arguments are based on the rules that dictate that there must be only two teams from one nation. At present, the US has two qualified teams: Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami (the latter being a controversial choice). Two qualified teams from Mexico are Pachuca and Monterrey.

Alajuelense have claimed that they are the next highest-ranked team and, as such, should be part of the competition. But the ranking they are quoting is an unofficial club ranking published by the IFFHS, which is not recognized by Concacaf or by FIFA.

Even if it was accepted, the second-placed team would not automatically qualify; they will have had to earn that right through the relevant qualifying tournaments, as the rules state.

FIFA will have the final say on which team will play in case Club Leon lose its appeal with the CAS and remain excluded from competition. This ruling could also provide the choice of inserting a third team from either Mexico or the USA since there are several teams from both nations ranked higher than Alajuelense.

Looking at the parties to the Alajuelense case poses many questions about possible destabilizing agendas. Alajuelense's legal team has close ties with Spain's La Liga and its top leadership. There is also a cooperation between La Liga and Costa Rica's league authority, UNAFUT.

The alliance is serious, as witnessed by the recent appointment of former La Liga executive José Carlos Loaiza Gallego as UNAFUT's executive director. La Liga and its president, Javier Tebas, have repeatedly attacked FIFA and the role of the Club World Cup in the football calendar.

Since UNAFUT has adopted a dissenting position and is pursuing lawsuit outside Europe, there is no sign that they will desist from trying to create confusion around this topic.

Club Leon is not yet out of the Club World Cup. Grupo Pachuca has provisions on the books similar to those of UEFA competitions which permit two teams with the same ownership to be in the competition at the same time.

CAS can rule that these provisions are adequate to permit Club Leon to remain in the competition, alleviating any doubt about conflicts of interest and potential manipulation.

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