Chelsea learn Club World Cup fate after verdict on ban from summer tournament

Chelsea are set to face either Los Angeles FC or Mexico's Club America at FIFA's new Club World Cup this summer after Club Leon's appeal to be included was rejected.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has ruled that FIFA were correct to exclude Club Leon, who were due to be Chelsea's first opponents, because their owners are also in charge of another competitor in the competition, fellow Mexican side Pachuca.

FIFA are now expected to fill the vacant spot in Group D alongside , Flamengo and Esperance de Tunis by staging a play-off between LAFC and Club America.

In a statement, CAS said: “As a result of the CAS ruling, FIFA is responsible for designating the final qualified team to participate in the Club World Cup 2025. The CAS Panel has issued an Operative Decision dismissing the three appeals and ruled that Pachuca and Club Leon failed to meet the criteria in the Regulations for the Club 2025 concerning multiple club ownership.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

“The Panel examined the evidence, including the Club Leon trust set up by the owners of the club, and concluded that this trust was insufficient to comply with the Regulations. Consequently, Club Leon remains excluded from the competition and Pachuca remains qualified.

“A separate appeal by [Alajuelense] against Club Leon, Pachuca and Fifa, filed on 3 February 2025, requested that Club Leon and Pachuca’s participation in the Club World Cup was contrary to Fifa regulations and that one of the clubs, or both, should be removed.

“The appeal also requested that [Alajuelense] should be admitted to the competition in place of a removed team. This case was heard by CAS in person in Madrid on 23 April 2025 and was also rejected today.”

LAFC were beaten by Club Leon in the 2023 CONCACAF final, while Club America are the highest-ranked team behind Club Leon in confederation ranking that did not qualify for the competition.

are also set to play in the tournament, which is set to begin in mid-June and run until mid-July across the United States. It will be broadcast in the UK by Channel 5.

and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our