Following Club Leon`s disqualification from the FIFA Club World Cup due to violations of competition regulations, FIFA is exploring alternatives to fill their spot. Reportedly, Major League Soccer`s LAFC and Mexico`s Club America are being considered as potential replacements.
ESPN reports that LAFC, who were defeated by Club Leon in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League final – the very competition that secured Club Leon`s initial qualification – are strong candidates. Club America is also in consideration, recognized as the highest-ranked Concacaf team not already qualified for the expanded 32-team tournament. FIFA is weighing the possibility of a single playoff match between LAFC and Club America to determine who will take the vacant place, although these plans are still tentative.
Club Leon`s expulsion from the Club World Cup was triggered by a complaint filed by Costa Rican club Alajuelense to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in February. Alajuelense argued that Club Leon breached rules concerning club ownership. FIFA`s regulations prohibit participation in the Club World Cup for two clubs under the same ownership group. Upon discovering that Grupo Pachuca owned both Club Leon and Pachuca, FIFA officially removed Club Leon from the competition on March 23.
Club Leon has appealed this decision to CAS, with a hearing scheduled for April 23 in Madrid. LAFC and Club America are required to submit their legal documentation by Wednesday to present their cases during the CAS proceedings. Alajuelense will also be present to argue their position. FIFA has stated it will postpone any decision on Club Leon`s replacement until CAS concludes its review.
The team chosen to participate in the Club World Cup will join England`s Chelsea, Tunisia`s Esperance de Tunis, and Brazil`s Flamengo in the group stage matches set for June.
As FIFA manages this evolving situation, here`s an examination of possible – and less likely – contenders for the final Club World Cup spot.
LAFC
A straightforward option is LAFC. Given that Club Leon qualified by winning the 2023 Concacaf Champions League, a logical argument can be made for offering the spot to the runners-up of the same tournament, LAFC.
Club America
Club America represents a somewhat more complex, yet still reasonable, choice. FIFA has previously employed a four-year ranking system across various confederations to determine Club World Cup participants. While these rankings haven`t always aligned with individual confederation rankings, they have generally been accepted. If FIFA utilizes Concacaf rankings, Club America emerges as the highest-ranked team currently not qualified. However, Club America`s head coach, Andre Jardine, has expressed mixed feelings about his team`s potential participation.
Jardine stated, “León should participate in the Club World Cup. I sympathize with the institution and hope they find a resolution to participate.” He continued, “If that`s not possible, América has been performing well consistently. While we haven`t yet won the Concacaf Champions Cup, which is a major aspiration, we consistently lead in Mexican tournaments and hold a strong Concacaf ranking, a key criterion. If asked about wanting to go to the Club World Cup, the answer is yes, but ideally by earning it on the field. That`s our ongoing objective.”
Club Leon
The possibility remains that Club Leon could win their appeal, potentially rendering the replacement discussions moot. However, the likelihood of a successful appeal is uncertain, considering Article 10 of FIFA`s Club World Cup ownership regulations, which clearly states: “No person or legal entity may control or exert influence over more than one club participating in the competition.” Despite the CAS hearing being weeks away, Club Leon has outlined the basis of their appeal.
In response to their expulsion, Club Leon released a statement: “We disagree with this decision, and we will pursue all available avenues with the highest sports authorities. All evidence and documentation demonstrating our administrative and sporting independence were presented with full transparency and opportunity. We will defend what we rightfully earned on the field in a fair and professional manner, adhering to all competition rules.”
Alajuelense
Alajuelense initiated this situation with their February complaint to CAS, accompanied by a bold claim: “The lawsuit demonstrates the shared ownership between Club Leon and Pachuca, and no team has a stronger claim than ours to participate in the upcoming Club World Cup.” However, the basis of their claim to Club World Cup participation is unclear. They were eliminated in the semifinals of the 2023 Concacaf Champions League by LAFC, not Club Leon. It`s improbable Alajuelense would have qualified through other methods, but the Costa Rican club will have the opportunity to present their case on April 23.
The Unlikely Options
Recent reports suggest FIFA will seek the most logical solution for the Club World Cup vacancy, although this is not always characteristic of world soccer`s governing body. This Club World Cup, expanding from eight to 32 teams, has faced criticism. Players and coaches have voiced concerns about fixture congestion, and securing venues, broadcast partners, and sponsors has been challenging. Adding to this are questions surrounding the sporting merit of the competition – the four-year ranking system has been confusing, and FIFA`s selection of Inter Miami over the MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy (the league`s preference) as the host nation`s representative has raised eyebrows.
While FIFA justified Inter Miami`s selection as a reward for winning the Supporters` Shield, many saw it as motivated by Lionel Messi`s global appeal and associated financial gains. This context has led some to speculate that FIFA might select a high-profile team to enhance the perceived value of this controversially organized and less-than-popular competition.
Al-Nassr: Reflecting a cynical viewpoint, Inter Miami`s selection fueled speculation that Cristiano Ronaldo`s Al-Nassr could be invited to fill the vacant spot. However, this has not materialized, and from a purely sporting perspective, perhaps the Club World Cup is better off.
Barcelona: Commercial appeal is likely to influence the selection process, given the competition`s apparent focus on maximizing revenue. Barcelona`s absence from the Club World Cup would be seen as a missed opportunity for potential earnings, especially considering the prospect of a clash with Real Madrid in the knockout stages. Although coaches and players might not lament missing out, the financially strained club could have benefited from the additional revenue.
Manchester United: Like Barcelona, Manchester United seems a plausible candidate if FIFA opts for a commercially driven replacement for Club Leon. With minority investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe`s emphasis on cost-cutting and maximizing profits, Manchester United, known for its global brand, would be a fitting, albeit perhaps unexpected, choice.
Dominic Ashworth