LAFC has secured the final spot in the upcoming 2025 FIFA Club World Cup following a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over Club América on May 31 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. The match was a playoff to determine which team would replace Club León, which was disqualified by FIFA for violating rules on multi-club ownership.
FIFA announced on May 7 that LAFC and Club América would face off in a one-game playoff for the final tournament berth. The decision followed a March ruling disqualifying León, after it was found to be under the same ownership as fellow Mexican team Pachuca, violating FIFA’s regulation prohibiting a single entity from owning multiple participating clubs.
Club América took the lead in the 64th minute with a penalty goal. But in the 89th minute, Igor Jesus equalized for LAFC with a header off a corner kick. The match went into extra time tied at 1-1.
In the second half of extra time, Denis Bouanga scored the winning goal from a pass by Olivier Giroud, the veteran striker who joined LAFC in 2024 after a career in Europe.
FIFA rules prohibit any participant from having financial or managerial control over another team in the tournament. This includes ownership of shares or influence over performance or administration. The disqualification of León followed a complaint by Alajuelense, a top club in Costa Rica, in November 2024.
FIFA determined that LAFC and Club América were the next eligible clubs, based on their top rankings at the conclusion of the 2023 and 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, respectively.
The FIFA Club World Cup will take place from June 15 to July 14, with matches scheduled across multiple U.S. cities, including California and New Jersey. The event carries a total prize pool of $1 billion.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s Ulsan HD, representing the K League 1, will compete in Group F alongside Fluminense (Brazil), Borussia Dortmund (Germany), and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa).
BY YOONJAE JUNG [jung.yoonjae@koreadaily.com]
AND YEONGCHAE SONG [song.yeongchae@koreadaily.com]
