FIFA removes Club León from 2025 Club World Cup over multi-club ownership criteria, ruling to be appealed

FIFA announced on Friday that Club León will be excluded from the 2025 Club World Cup for failing to meet the multi-club ownership criteria outlined in Article 10, Paragraph 1 of the tournament regulations. Despite efforts to prove their operational independence, the club was unable to convince FIFA.

In recent days, representatives from Pachuca and León held meetings with FIFA to argue that the two clubs operate independently, despite sharing some shareholders. However, FIFA ultimately ruled against León. Grupo Pachuca can appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as León had earned their spot by winning the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

"No person or legal entity may control or exert influence over more than one club participating in the competition," reads article 10 of FIFA's 2025 Club World Cup ownership rules.

It remains unclear which CONCACAF club will take the place of Club León in the upcoming tournament, with FIFA saying "the club to be admitted as a replacement to be announced in due course."

The champion of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Club León, where Colombian James Rodríguez plays, was expelled from the 2025 Club World Cup on Friday for failing to meet the criteria on multi-club ownership. La Fiera shares Group D of the competition with Chelsea, Flamengo, and Esperance.

According to FIFA, León's replacement will be announced soon, although the Liga MX club has stated that they will appeal the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS). Costa Rica's Alajuelense has expressed interest in taking that spot, as they won the 2024 Central American Cup.

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

While this case is being clarified, La Fiera will host Pumas on Sunday, March 30, in Matchday 13 of the Clausura 2025. The team coached by Eduardo Berizzo is in second place in the tournament with 26 points.