The two teams who could replace expelled Club Leon in FIFA Club World Cup revealed as Chelsea lie in wait - with MLS handed fresh hope

Leon were disqualified from the tournament due to the multi-club ownership rule violations. The Mexican side had originally secured their place by winning the 2023 Concacaf Champions League, but FIFA ruled that their shared ownership with Pachuca - another Club World Cup qualifier- breached tournament regulations. As a result, a replacement team must be found, and LAFC and Club America have emerged as the two leading candidates.

Unhappy with their disqualification, Club Leon has taken legal action, appealing FIFA’s decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Their case will be heard on April 23, and if they succeed, they could regain their place in the tournament. Interestingly, Costa Rican club Alajuelense - who originally lodged a complaint against Leon’s participation - also has an ongoing appeal with CAS, which will be reviewed at the same hearing.

A FIFA statement (via BBC) read: "FIFA can confirm it is considering one play-off match between LAFC and Club America for the right to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025."

If the playoff is confirmed, the winner will join Group D in the competition, a section that already includes Chelsea, Flamengo, and Esperance Sportive de Tunis.

FIFA’s selection process for the potential play-off is based on recent performances in the CONCACAF region. LAFC finished as runners-up to Club Leon in the 2023 Champions League final, while Club America is the highest-ranked team behind Club Leon in the Confederation’s rankings that has not yet qualified for the Club World Cup.

"LAFC would participate as runner-up to Club Léon in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League through which Club Léon had qualified," FIFA's statement on Sunday said. "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 playoff would qualify unless legal proceedings rule otherwise."

Meanwhile, André Jardine, coach of América, shared his thoughts on León - which protested the CWC ruling pre-match on Sunday - and the possibility of the Águilas playing a match against LAFC to qualify for the Club World Cup.

"My position is this, I think León deserves all the credit," he said. "I'm sad for León. I followed that closely, I remember well, Dávila is here because he impressed me in that tournament. I would like a solution to be found, and if León doesn't go, we'll see.

"América is going through a time with many things going well, we haven't won the Concachampions yet, but we lead most of the Mexican tournaments, the CONCACAF ranking, which is one of the criteria, we still haven't achieved that. The responsible bodies, the ones who will make the decision, I would really like to go to the World Cup by conquering it on the field, and that's what we're doing."

If the process proceeds and LAFC wins the playoff, they will represent MLS - along with Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders - in the 32-team tournament, which will be held in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025.

The team boasts former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud and ex-France captain Hugo Lloris among its ranks.