LAFC And Club América to Battle For Club World Cup Spot In End-of-Month Playoff

‎FIFA announced on Friday that Los Angeles FC and Club América will face off in a Club World Cup qualifying playoff match on May 31st at BMO Stadium, home of LAFC.

‎The winner will secure a spot in the group stage of the 32-team tournament.

‎The playoff is being held to determine the 32nd team after Club León was disqualified from the tournament for violating ownership rules. The Mexican club’s appeal was also rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

‎FIFA said in March that Club Leon and Pachuca did not meet regulations on multi-club ownership. However, Pachuca’s spot in the June 14th-July 13th tournament was unaffected.

‎Los Angeles FC was runners-up to Club León in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League, while Club América was the top-ranked team in the Club World Cup Confederation rankings at the end of the 2024 Champions Cup.

‎The playoff winner will advance to the group stage of the tournament. They will join Flamengo, Espérance de Tunis, and Chelsea in Group D.