Club World Cup: Chelsea opponents may be decided by one-off playoff tie after team expulsion

Chelsea will seemingly have to remain patient to find out who will complete their group at the Club World Cup.

The Blues are one of two Premier League teams – the other being Manchester City – to qualify for the expanded 32-team competition that will take place in the United States this summer.

When the draw was made at the back end of last year, the West Londoners were put into Group D alongside Flamengo, Esperance Tunis and Club Leon.

However, it was recently confirmed that Club Leon were being booted out of the tournament courtesy of FIFA’s multi-club ownership regulations. Fellow Mexican side Pachuca – the CONCACAF Champions Cup winners – have the same ownership group.

As such, there has been uncertainty as to who will replace Club Leon, who have appealed the decision with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

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FIFA announce potential for playoff

Given the lucrative place at this competition, there is interest in who could step in for Club Leon, and FIFA has revealed that Los Angeles FC and Club America are the two teams in the running.

A statement read: “Fifa can confirm that it is considering a playoff match between LAFC and Club América for the right to participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, replacing Club Leon.

“LAFC would participate in the match because they were the runners-up in the 2023 Concacaf Champions’ Cup, which Leon won.

“America would participate because they are the highest-ranked team in Concacaf in the Fifa Club World Cup rankings. Further details will be provided in due course.”

Any club that participates at the tournament will receive a bare minimum of £9.9m.

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Do FIFA have a date in mind?

FIFA are yet to propose when any playoff may take place, the governing body having to wait to see the outcome of Club Leon’s appeal before pressing forward.

The competition is due to commence on June 14, FIFA naturally wanting this issue resolved as soon as possible before the start of the event.

Chelsea are scheduled to face one of the aforementioned teams in their first fixture, which takes place in Atlanta on June 16.

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