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The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced on Friday that it will hold expedited hearings in early May as Mexican side Club León challenges a FIFA decision that excluded it from the upcoming 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
León and fellow Liga MX team Pachuca, both owned by Grupo Pachuca, were disqualified last month under FIFA rules that prohibit multiple clubs with shared ownership from participating in the same tournament. The two clubs had earned qualification for the expanded 32-team tournament by winning the Concacaf Champions Cup in separate years.
In response, León and Pachuca each filed separate appeals with CAS, asserting that they meet all eligibility criteria. In addition, León launched an extra appeal contesting the FIFA Secretary General’s decision, which formally removed the club from the competition.
“The appeals will be expedited and heard during the week of May 5,” CAS confirmed in a statement. No specific date for a final ruling has been announced, but the decision will determine the final entrant into the global tournament.
FIFA, anticipating a possible rejection of León's appeal, has proposed a contingency: a one-off playoff between Los Angeles FC and Club América to determine who would replace León. América was chosen based on its high placement in Concacaf rankings, while LAFC were runners-up to León in last year’s Concacaf Champions Cup.
Meanwhile, Costa Rican club Liga Deportiva Alajuelense is also involved in a parallel appeal process, arguing that it deserves a place in the Club World Cup if León and Pachuca are deemed ineligible. That case is scheduled to be heard in Madrid on April 23.
Despite the ownership issue being unresolved, FIFA had originally included Club León in December’s official tournament draw. León was placed in a group with Chelsea (England), ES Tunis (Tunisia), and Flamengo (Brazil). The group’s first match, scheduled to be played in Atlanta, will pit the group’s eventual representative against Chelsea.
The inaugural expanded FIFA Club World Cup kicks off on June 14, with the final to be held on July 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Beyond prestige, the tournament offers substantial financial rewards: clubs stand to earn at least $9.55 million, with additional prizes depending on performance.
Now, with legal battles intensifying, Club León’s fate — and the final tournament lineup — hangs in the balance.
Featured Image Credit: FIFA.com, Instagram / @clubleon_oficial
