Mexican soccer club León loses appeal against FIFA and will not play in Club World Cup

By Canadian Press on May 6, 2025.

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Mexican soccer club León lost its appeal against FIFA at sport’s highest court on Tuesday and will not play in the Club World Cup next month in the United States.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport said its judges rejected León’s attempt to overturn being removed by FIFA from the 32-team tournament for being in the same ownership group as another Club World Cup entry, Pachuca.

The urgent ruling one day after the appeal hearing will let FIFA organize a playoff game — between Los Angeles FC and another Mexican team América — to complete the lineup for the tournament that starts on June 14.

León was drawn in a group to play Chelsea in Atlanta on June 16, then Esperance from Tunisia in Nashville, and Flamengo of Brazil in Orlando.

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The Associated Press