On May 6, 2025, Liga MX powerhouse León will learn their FIFA Club World Cup fate as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) delivers its verdict on their desperate appeal against FIFA’s controversial expulsion from the tournament. The eight-time Mexican champions find themselves in a legal tussle with football’s governing body, primarily due to shared ownership structures with one of their biggest traditional rivals, Pachuca.
FIFA ejected León from the competition, claiming that the club’s common ownership with Pachuca violates tournament integrity rules, which prohibit participating clubs from having ownership ties to other competitors. Despite this unresolved ownership question, both clubs were initially drawn into separate four-team groups at December 2024's draw, with León slated to face European giants Chelsea FC, Tunisia’s Espérance Sportive de Tunis, and Brazilian heavyweights Flamengo.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for the Guanajuato-based club. With $9.55 million guaranteed to participants, plus potential shares of the tournament’s eye-watering $1 billion prize pool based on results, León argues they’ve rightfully earned their place in the expanded 32-team competition as winners of the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League.
On Monday, May 5, 2025, an emergency hearing was held in Lausanne, Switzerland, where León defended its inclusion in the tournament beginning on June 14, 2025. The hearing, which lasted over 10 hours, was attended by legal representatives from both León and Pachuca, as well as FIFA officials. Lucas Ferrer, legal representative of Grupo Pachuca, stated, “The Tribunal was able to hear all the arguments.”
FIFA formalized León’s exclusion in March 2025, declaring that the clubs’ ownership “clearly indicates centralized decision-making under a single authority, which is inconsistent with FIFA’s principles of competitive integrity and operational independence.”
León made a significant investment in preparation for the tournament, including high-profile signings like James Rodríguez, who joined the club to bolster their chances on the global stage. The club's fans are anxiously awaiting the verdict, as their participation in the prestigious tournament hangs in the balance.
Should León’s appeal fail, FIFA has prepared a contingency plan to swiftly arrange a one-game playoff between MLS side Los Angeles FC and Liga MX giants Club América to determine the final participant before the tournament kicks off. This potential playoff underscores the gravity of the situation, as León’s exclusion could pave the way for a fierce rivalry matchup.
As the clock ticks down to the announcement, Gorka Villar, a lawyer for Club León, expressed optimism about the outcome, saying, “I think we’ve done a good job and I’m feeling positive, but ultimately, in law, you have to have the right and know how to ask for it.”
Meanwhile, León’s legal team has requested that, regardless of the outcome, the CAS provide a detailed explanation of the reasons for León’s presence or absence in the Club World Cup before the tournament begins on June 14, 2025. Villar noted, “Before the tournament starts, for better or worse, we will have the reasons for León’s admission or exclusion.”
The potential ramifications of this decision extend beyond just monetary prizes; it speaks to León’s historical significance in international football. The club famously represented Mexico at the 1970 Copa Libertadores as the first Mexican team to compete in South America’s premier club competition. This legal battle represents not just a fight for financial rewards but a struggle for recognition and respect on the global stage.
In a twist of fate, if León cannot regain their place in the tournament, Alajuelense of Costa Rica has expressed interest in claiming León or Pachuca's spot, arguing that they could fulfill the requirements based on FIFA rankings. This adds another layer of complexity to an already intricate situation.
As the world of football watches closely, the expectation is palpable. León fans are hoping for a favorable ruling that will allow their team to compete against the likes of Chelsea and Flamengo, while also representing Mexico with pride. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for future ownership rules in international football.
With the final decision of the CAS being unappealable, the pressure is on. The ruling will not only affect León’s immediate future but could also influence how FIFA manages club ownership in the future, especially with the new 32-team format of the Club World Cup set to debut.
In the coming hours, the football community will be on the edge of their seats, waiting for news that could change the landscape of the tournament. Will León reclaim their rightful place, or will they be forced to watch from the sidelines as another team takes their spot? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the stakes have never been higher.
