FIFA Excludes Club León from 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Amid Multi-Ownership Issues
The Mexican club faces exclusion due to regulatory violations, and Liga Deportiva Alajuelense emerges as a likely replacement.
On March 21, 2025, FIFA officially announced the exclusion of Club León from the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup due to violations of ownership regulations regarding multi-ownership.
The ruling stated that both León and CF Pachuca belong to the same corporate group, violating Article 10, Section 1 of the tournament's regulations.
As a result, a significant question arose among football fans and pundits: who would replace León in the prestigious tournament?
Various reports indicate that Liga Deportiva Alajuelense of Costa Rica is the front-runner for the vacant spot.
This is largely attributed to Alajuelense's high position in the Concacaf ranking, taking into account that clubs from Mexico and the United States have already reached their quota for representation in the tournament.
According to the specifics of the Club World Cup regulations, Alajuelense, being the highest-ranked non-Mexican and non-U.S. club, would be a suitable candidate to fill the vacancy.
León's exclusion was met with intense disappointment from the club, which pointed out that they had earned their place in the tournament by winning the 2023 Concacaf Champions League.
In their official communication, club representatives expressed their dissatisfaction with FIFA's decision, stating, 'It is a cruel and unjust measure that does not respect the spirit of fair competition and adversely affects many people: fans, workers, players, and coaches.'
Alajuelense had previously lodged a complaint with FIFA regarding the perceived unfairness of excluding them from the World Cup while allowing both León and Pachuca to participate.
This initiated a series of scrutinies and appeals, culminating in FIFA's disciplinary action against the two Mexican clubs.
The Compliance Committee of FIFA, after reviewing the evidence, concluded that both teams had breached regulations regarding multi-ownership.
FIFA issued a statement highlighting that, due to the violations, León would not participate, and it was announced that the identity of the club to take their place would be determined later.
The tournament's rules stipulate that the Secretary General has the discretion to decide which club will succeed León, with several factors influencing this decision, including Concacaf's updated rankings.
As of March 14, 2025, Alajuelense stood as the highest-ranking non-Mexican and non-U.S. club in the Concacaf hierarchy, thanks largely to their performances, including being undefeated in the Central American Cup.
While Alajuelense’s management publicly welcomed the news from FIFA, they emphasized their resolve to continue advocating for their position through appropriate legal channels if necessary.
As the situation continues to evolve, football stakeholders await a final determination from FIFA on the replacement for León in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where teams from across the globe, including Flamengo, Espérance Sportive de Tunis, and Chelsea, will compete.
The ruling stated that both León and CF Pachuca belong to the same corporate group, violating Article 10, Section 1 of the tournament's regulations.
As a result, a significant question arose among football fans and pundits: who would replace León in the prestigious tournament?
Various reports indicate that Liga Deportiva Alajuelense of Costa Rica is the front-runner for the vacant spot.
This is largely attributed to Alajuelense's high position in the Concacaf ranking, taking into account that clubs from Mexico and the United States have already reached their quota for representation in the tournament.
According to the specifics of the Club World Cup regulations, Alajuelense, being the highest-ranked non-Mexican and non-U.S. club, would be a suitable candidate to fill the vacancy.
León's exclusion was met with intense disappointment from the club, which pointed out that they had earned their place in the tournament by winning the 2023 Concacaf Champions League.
In their official communication, club representatives expressed their dissatisfaction with FIFA's decision, stating, 'It is a cruel and unjust measure that does not respect the spirit of fair competition and adversely affects many people: fans, workers, players, and coaches.'
Alajuelense had previously lodged a complaint with FIFA regarding the perceived unfairness of excluding them from the World Cup while allowing both León and Pachuca to participate.
This initiated a series of scrutinies and appeals, culminating in FIFA's disciplinary action against the two Mexican clubs.
The Compliance Committee of FIFA, after reviewing the evidence, concluded that both teams had breached regulations regarding multi-ownership.
FIFA issued a statement highlighting that, due to the violations, León would not participate, and it was announced that the identity of the club to take their place would be determined later.
The tournament's rules stipulate that the Secretary General has the discretion to decide which club will succeed León, with several factors influencing this decision, including Concacaf's updated rankings.
As of March 14, 2025, Alajuelense stood as the highest-ranking non-Mexican and non-U.S. club in the Concacaf hierarchy, thanks largely to their performances, including being undefeated in the Central American Cup.
While Alajuelense’s management publicly welcomed the news from FIFA, they emphasized their resolve to continue advocating for their position through appropriate legal channels if necessary.
As the situation continues to evolve, football stakeholders await a final determination from FIFA on the replacement for León in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where teams from across the globe, including Flamengo, Espérance Sportive de Tunis, and Chelsea, will compete.
