According to reports, FIFA is considering LAFC from MLS and Club America from Mexico to take Club Leon`s place in the Club World Cup. Club Leon was removed from the competition earlier this month for violating competition rules.
ESPN reports that LAFC is being considered as a replacement. They were the runners-up in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League, losing to Club Leon in the final. Winning this tournament was how Club Leon initially qualified for the Club World Cup. Club America is also under consideration for the vacant spot as the highest-ranked Concacaf team not already qualified for the 32-team Club World Cup. FIFA is thinking about a possible playoff game between LAFC and Club America to decide who gets the spot, but these plans are not yet finalized.
Club Leon was disqualified from the Club World Cup this summer after Alajuelense from Costa Rica filed a complaint with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in February. The complaint stated that Club Leon violated rules regarding club ownership. FIFA rules prevent two clubs under the same ownership group from participating in the Club World Cup. After discovering that Grupo Pachuca owned both Club Leon and Pachuca, FIFA decided to remove Club Leon from the competition on March 23.
Club Leon has appealed this decision to CAS, and their appeal will be heard in Madrid on April 23. LAFC and Club America need to prepare their legal documents by Wednesday to present their arguments during the CAS proceedings. Alajuelense will also be present to argue their case. FIFA will wait for CAS`s decision before making any final decisions about replacing Club Leon.
The team that ultimately replaces Club Leon in the Club World Cup will be placed in a group with Chelsea from England, Esperance de Tunis from Tunisia, and Flamengo from Brazil for the group stage matches in June.
As FIFA continues to manage this situation, here is a look at the possible – and less likely – candidates to fill the final spot in the Club World Cup.
LAFC
The most straightforward option is LAFC. Since Club Leon qualified by winning the 2023 Concacaf Champions League, it makes sense that the runners-up, LAFC, would be the next logical choice to take their place.
Club America
Club America is another strong contender, though the situation is slightly more complex. FIFA has used a four-year ranking system in various confederations to determine some Club World Cup entries. While these rankings haven`t always aligned with confederation-specific rankings, they have generally been accepted. FIFA could use Concacaf`s rankings, which would place Club America as the highest-ranked team not currently qualified for the competition. However, their coach, Andre Jardine, has mixed feelings about participating.
Jardine stated to ESPN, `León should participate in the Club World Cup. I am saddened for the club and hope they find a solution to participate. If that doesn`t happen, then América has been performing well for a long time. It is true that we haven`t yet won the Concacaf Champions Cup, which is a dream and a clear objective for us. We are leading in most Mexican tournaments and in 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, but I would prefer to qualify for the Club World Cup by earning it on the field. That is what we are striving for.`
Club Leon
There is still a possibility that Club Leon could win their appeal, which would make the entire replacement discussion irrelevant. However, the likelihood of this is uncertain because FIFA`s Club World Cup ownership rules, specifically article 10, clearly state: `No person or legal entity may control or exert influence over more than one club participating in the competition.` Although CAS will not hear the appeal for a few weeks, Club Leon has already outlined the basis of their argument.
In response to their expulsion, Club Leon issued a statement saying, `We disagree with this decision and will appeal to the highest sports authorities. All evidence and documentation demonstrating our administrative and sporting independence were presented with full opportunity and transparency. We will defend what we earned on the field in a fair and professional manner, following all competition rules.`
Alajuelense
Alajuelense initiated this situation with their February complaint to CAS, accompanied by a bold declaration: `The lawsuit demonstrates the existence of multi-ownership between Club Leon and Pachuca, and no team has a greater right than ours to participate in the next Club World Cup.` It`s unclear what `right` they are referring to regarding Club World Cup participation. They were eliminated in the semifinals of the 2023 Concacaf Champions League by LAFC, not Club Leon. It is also unlikely Alajuelense would have qualified through other methods. However, the Costa Rican club will have the opportunity to present their case on April 23 to have any chance of participating in the competition.
The Long Shots
Recent reports suggest FIFA will seek the most logical solution to fill the Club World Cup vacancy, which is not always typical of the organization. This expanded Club World Cup, growing from eight to 32 teams, has been viewed with skepticism. Players and coaches have voiced concerns about fixture congestion for months, and securing venues, broadcast partners, and sponsors has been challenging. Adding to the confusion are the sporting elements, such as the perplexing four-year ranking system and FIFA`s decision to select Inter Miami over the MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy as the host nation`s representative.
FIFA claimed Inter Miami`s Club World Cup spot was a reward for winning the Supporters` Shield, but many perceived it as a move driven by Lionel Messi`s popularity and associated financial benefits. Consequently, as the Club Leon situation unfolded, it was easy to imagine FIFA selecting a random, high-profile team to inject some glamour into the poorly organized and unpopular competition.
Al-Nassr: For those cynical about the sport, the Inter Miami selection made it seem plausible that Cristiano Ronaldo`s Al-Nassr could receive an invitation. However, this has not happened, and arguably, the Club World Cup is better off from a sporting perspective as a result.
Barcelona: Commercial appeal is likely to be a significant factor in selecting a contender, as the entire competition seems focused on maximizing financial opportunities. Barcelona`s absence from the Club World Cup could be seen as a missed opportunity for potential earnings, especially with the possibility of a match against Real Madrid in the knockout stages. While coaches and players might not mind missing out, the financially strained club could have benefited from the additional revenue.
Manchester United: Similar to Barcelona, Manchester United could be considered if FIFA chooses a random team for revenue purposes. With minority investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe emphasizing cost-cutting and profit maximization, Manchester United seems a fitting choice. The club`s approach includes measures like laying off staff and considering postseason games in Asia and preseason games in the US and Europe to increase revenue.
