On Sunday, the FIFA spokesperson revealed that the organization is considering organizing a one-game playoff to determine the team that will replace Mexico's Club León’s2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
The winner of this game would also take home $9.55m in prize money awarded by FIFA to qualified teams from the Concacaf region, and would be Chelsea’s first opponent in the tournament.
FIFA said it was considering MLS side LAFC and Club América as the playoff teams. Those selections notably keep Costa Rica’s LD Alajuelense out of the competition after the club’s complaint in 2024 led to León’s recent ouster.
Last week, Club Leon were removed from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after failing to meet tournament regulations on multi-club ownership.
The Mexican side had been scheduled to face Chelsea in their opening fixture of the 32-team tournament which takes place between 14 June – 13 July in the US.
However, FIFA determined that Mexico's Leon and Pachuca did not comply with rules that do not allow clubs to directly or indirectly hold or deal in the securities or shares of another participating in the competition.
Both clubs are owned by Grupo Pachuca and FIFA said in a statement that a replacement for Leon will "be announced in due course".
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