Mexican side Club León has been excluded from the 2025 Club World Cup by FIFA after the club was found in breach of regulations on multi-club ownership.
León, which was scheduled to play Chelsea in its first game on June 16 in Atlanta, were disqualified because of their links to the Mexican club Pachuca. Both teams are owned by Grupo Pachuca, which violates FIFA’s rules that prohibit clubs from having direct or indirect control over another tournament participant.
FIFA has since said a replacement for León will be announced shortly. But the club has vociferously opposed the decision, arguing that they are independent in financial, administrative and sporting respects. León also said they would appeal to the highest sporting authorities if their disqualification is upheld.
The decision was reached after the Costa Rican club Deportiva Alajuelense, which won the 2023 Central American Cup, had challenged León’s inclusion in the tournament.
Pachuca, the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup winners, have surprisingly kept theirs, however Chelsea stay in Group D with Flamengo and Esperance. FIFA said that it remains committed to maintaining the integrity of the competition and that more details would follow in accordance with Club World Cup regulations.
