Mexican football club León has suffered a setback in their attempt to participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected their appeal. The decision was announced on Tuesday, confirming that León’s exclusion from the prestigious tournament will stand.
CAS Upholds FIFA’s Ruling on Multiple Club Ownership
Despite meeting the qualification criteria for the 32-team tournament, which is set to begin on June 14 in the United States, León was removed from the competition in March. The reason behind this exclusion was the ownership overlap between León and fellow Liga MX club Pachuca, both of which are owned by Grupo Pachuca. According to FIFA regulations, clubs with the same ownership are not allowed to compete in the same tournament.
CAS ruled that León’s appeal against FIFA’s decision would be dismissed, citing that the ownership structure between the two clubs did not meet FIFA’s competitive integrity standards. The full decision explained that the trust set up by the clubs’ owners failed to sufficiently address concerns regarding centralized decision-making and operational independence. Consequently, Pachuca remains in the tournament, while León’s exclusion remains unchanged.
León’s World Cup Dream Dashed
The decision has dashed León’s hopes of competing in the Club World Cup, a tournament they qualified for by winning the 2023 Concacaf Champions League. They were initially placed in a group alongside Chelsea, Esperance, and Flamengo. The tournament will run through July 13, with the final scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
FIFA had previously stated that both León and Pachuca’s shared ownership structure undermined the competition’s integrity, as it suggested centralized control over both clubs. Therefore, only Pachuca, the 2024 Concacaf Champions League winner, will represent Liga MX in the tournament.
Replacement Tournament Slot for León
With León’s exclusion confirmed, FIFA is expected to replace them with a playoff match between MLS side LAFC and Liga MX club América, as both teams have been considered alternatives under the tournament’s structure. This move comes after a separate appeal by Liga Deportiva Alajuelense (LDA), which sought to have León and Pachuca excluded from the competition. However, CAS also rejected this appeal, leaving the lineup unchanged.
Looking Ahead: FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will feature the champions of various continental leagues from 2020-2024, including Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, who will represent the host country, the United States. The tournament is expected to be a high-profile event as it serves as a precursor to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The decision by CAS effectively ends León’s 2025 Club World Cup aspirations, but the focus now shifts to the remaining teams, as they prepare for what promises to be an exciting international tournament.
