'We will fight for the three spots in the Club World Cup'- FMF president Mikel Arriola expresses support for León and Liga MX

After Club León's expulsion from the Club World Cup for violating FIFA regulations that prohibit multi-ownership among teams competing in the same tournament, the new Mexico Football Federation president, Mikel Arriola, assured that they will fight for Liga MX to keep its three spots, with Monterrey and Pachuca already qualified.

"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," explained the executive.

Last week, FIFA announced that Club León was expelled from the Club World Cup for violating FIFA regulations that prohibit multi-ownership among teams participating in the tournament. After failing to prove otherwise in the various meetings held with the highest football authority, that was the conclusion.

The emerald team will take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in hopes of reversing the decision and allow them to participate in the tournament, which will begin on June 14. Meanwhile, teams such as América, Alajuelense, and Tigres have expressed their desire to take León's spot.

"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."

The Mexican team that has gone the furthest in the Club World Cup is Monterrey, which reached the semifinals in 2012 and 2019, finishing third in both editions. For this tournament, Sergio Ramos' side was placed in Group E alongside Inter Milan, River Plate, and Urawa Red Diamonds. Their first match will be June 17, against Inter Milan.

As for the Liga MX team with the most appearances in the tournament, it is América, with a total of seven (2006, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021).