Initially, FIFA considered neutral venues for the match, with SoFi Stadium and the Rose Bowl on the shortlist
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The winner of the playoff will join Group DThey’ll face Chelsea, Flamengo, and Espérance de TunisThe tournament is set to kick off on June 14Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
With Club León disqualified from the FIFA Club World Cup due to violations related to multi-club ownership rules, FIFA officially confirmed that LAFC and Club América will face off in a one-off playoff to determine who will take León’s place in the expanded tournament.
As previously reported by GOAL, the match is scheduled for May 31 and will be held at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, home of LAFC. The game is set to kick off at 10:30 p.m. ET. This high-stakes clash comes at the end of the Liga MX Clausura 2025 campaign, giving América a clear calendar, while LAFC will have to navigate a congested schedule.
LAFC already has an MLS fixture scheduled against the Colorado Rapids, which will now be rescheduled, in addition to a match against Sporting Kansas City just three days before the playoff, making for a tight turnaround for Steve Cherundolo's squad.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
For Club América and head coach André Jardine, this match represents their final chance to secure a spot in the 32-team 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, following their elimination by Cruz Azul in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. A loss would mean waiting until next year to pursue qualification through other avenues.
Meanwhile, LAFC was granted a place in this playoff by FIFA after finishing as runners-up in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions Cup, where they fell to Club León in the final. MLS representatives already qualified for the expanded CWC are Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders. From Liga MX, Monterrey and Pachuca have secured their places.
Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?
Initially, FIFA considered neutral venues for the match, with SoFi Stadium and the Rose Bowl both on the shortlist. However, both stadiums were unavailable due to scheduled concerts on the same date. LA Galaxy, meanwhile, declined to host the match at Dignity Health Sports Park due to their rivalry with LAFC.
As a result, FIFA settled on BMO Stadium as the venue, giving LAFC the home-field advantage in this winner-takes-all showdown. The governing body also confirmed that if the match ends in a draw after 90 minutes, extra time will be played, adhering to traditional knockout-stage rules.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR LAFC AND AMÉRICA?
Steve Cherundolo’s LAFC will visit rivals LA Galaxy Sunday in the latest edition of El Tráfico, while Jardine’s Club América will face Cruz Azul in the second leg of the Clausura 2025 semifinals, trailing 1-0 on aggregate.
