Mexican soccer club León has officially lost its legal battle against FIFA and is now out of the Club World Cup. The Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected León’s appeal to overturn its exclusion due to ownership regulations concerning multi-club ownership. León was removed from the tournament because it shares ownership with another qualifier, Pachuca. This ruling leaves Major League Soccer team Los Angeles FC and Mexican side Club América as likely candidates to fill León’s spot in the tournament set to take place in the United States next month.
The court’s decision came after examining the ownership structure of León, particularly a trust established by its owners, which the judges deemed insufficient to meet FIFA’s regulations. FIFA confirmed last month that a one-game playoff between LAFC and Club América is being considered to select the final participant in the Club World Cup, with the match to occur before the tournament begins on June 14.
Currently, LAFC has a demanding schedule, playing frequently throughout the month of May, while Club América’s schedule is uncertain as they progress through the Liga MX playoffs. If Club América qualifies for the Club World Cup, they may have to cancel a planned friendly against San Diego FC.
León and Pachuca initially qualified for the Club World Cup by winning the Concacaf championship titles in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Despite Grupo Pachuca’s willingness to sell one of the clubs to comply with FIFA’s rules, a sale could not be finalized before the tournament’s commencement.
This legal dispute has emphasized FIFA’s efforts to maintain the integrity of the Club World Cup by enforcing regulations against multi-club ownership, which have been common in European competitions for over two decades.
While León’s exclusion is a disappointment for its fans, there remains hope for the opportunity that LAFC or Club América will bring their talents to the global stage. The playoff could serve as an exciting prelude to the tournament, setting the tone for what’s anticipated to be a competitive showcase of international soccer.