04.04.2025 – (12:01 PM)

FIFA has come under fire for its decision to allow two other teams to play in a play-off to replace Mexican club Leon, who were expelled from the Club World Cup.

Major League Soccer club LAFC and Mexican club Club America will play in a play-off, FIFA announced on Monday.

Leon was expelled from the tournament on March 21 under the rules of the competition because they share ownership with fellow Mexican club Pachuca.

Costa Rican club Alajuelense won an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and was initially expected to replace Alajuelense, but FIFA has now officially announced the teams that will play in the play-off.

Lyon has appealed its expulsion to CAS, with a hearing set for April 23.

LAFC lost to Lyon in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League final, while Club America is the highest-ranked CONCACAF team that has not qualified for the Club World Cup.

However, with American clubs Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami, and Mexican clubs Monterrey and Pachuca already qualified, there is some speculation that another CONCACAF team should be given the chance.

Alajuelense, who lost to Lyon in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions League, also believes they deserve the spot.

Lyon were drawn in Group D of the Club World Cup with Chelsea, Flamengo and Tunis, so the replacement team will have to play in that group.

Brazilian clubs will be allowed to enter a maximum of four teams in the upcoming Club World Cup.

The 2025 Club World Cup, the first of its kind to feature 32 teams, will be held in the United States from June 15 to July 13.