The exclusion of Club León from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has sent shockwaves through Mexican soccer. This decision was confirmed by FIFA via an official notification sent to Grupo Pachuca, and it has sparked outrage among fans while raising critical questions about the complex issue of club ownership in soccer.
Despite having earned their place through legitimate sporting achievement by winning the CONCACAF Champions League, the emerald team, León, will not participate in the premier club tournament on an international level. This article aims to clarify why León was excluded from the 2025 Club World Cup and the broader implications this has for Mexican soccer.
FIFA's decision to exclude Club León was based on Article 10, Section 4, of the 2025 Club World Cup Regulations, which clearly states that two clubs under the same ownership cannot participate simultaneously in the tournament. Grupo Pachuca owns both León and Pachuca, placing them directly in the crosshairs of this regulation.
While other international competitions have dealt with similar situations more flexibly in the past, FIFA's stance in this case has been unequivocal. Not only did they communicate their decision, but they also announced they would soon reveal the name of the club that will take León's place in the tournament.
This decision has reignited the debate about club ownership in Mexican soccer, a model that has faced scrutiny from international organizations and experts for years. Although this model has fostered the structural growth of clubs like Pachuca and León, it also presents potential conflicts at international tournaments where rules are stricter.
The sting of exclusion is amplified for Club León, considering how they secured their berth in this prestigious tournament. The emerald team triumphed in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League, decisively defeating LAFC led by Carlos Vela. Their victory not only earned them a spot in the expanded FIFA tournament, slated for the United States in 2025, but was also met with public congratulations from both CONCACAF and FIFA following their triumph.
Thus, the news of their exclusion a few weeks later caught executives, players, and fans alike by surprise. Grupo Pachuca did not take the decision lightly and promptly issued an official statement expressing their discontent and announced their plan to appeal FIFA's resolution to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS). They declared, "We will defend what was earned on the field fairly, professionally, and in accordance with competition rules."
The appeal to TAS could alter the course of the situation, but it also has the potential to set a significant precedent for future tournaments and the framework of Mexican soccer. León's exclusion sends a clear message to Liga MX clubs and their owners: the model of multiple ownership has its limits in the international arena.
While this model has functioned efficiently in local contexts economically and administratively, FIFA demands that clubs participating in its flagship tournament meet clear requirements for structural independence. This may prompt Liga MX to reconsider its stance on multiple ownership, especially if it wishes to sustain competitive presence in FIFA and other confederation tournaments.
In the long run, this situation may also affect decisions regarding future investments in clubs under the same ownership group.
As of now, FIFA has not officially disclosed which club will replace Club León in the World Cup. However, various reports suggest that candidates could include teams that have performed well in recent CONCACAF tournaments or are ranked favorably in regional club standings. Names like Philadelphia Union and other Liga MX teams are among those mentioned as potential replacements, though all will depend on how FIFA interprets its regulations.
The official announcement is expected in the coming weeks. The 2025 Club World Cup will introduce a new format featuring 32 teams, reminiscent of the structure of a traditional World Cup. It will take place in the United States and feature champions from the most recent editions of various confederations.
This new expansion brings along greater demands in terms of legal, administrative, and structural compliance for participating clubs. FIFA aims to enhance the image of the tournament and expand its global impact, which also necessitates stricter eligibility criteria. Therefore, scenarios like León's exclusion could become more common if clubs fail to adhere to updated regulations.
For teams in the region, this revamped structure represents both an opportunity and a challenge. While the tournament's growth implies increased visibility and prestige, it also carries an obligation to professionalize at the international level. Mexican clubs, having long dominated the CONCACAF Champions League, are now faced with stricter regulations to ensure their continued participation.
