FIFA Boots "Leon" From 2025 World Cup Due to Ownership Links with "Pachuca"
High-stakes Champions League showdown set for U.S. soil: Costliest clash in tournament history upcoming
The qualifying rounds for the 2025 World Cup wrapped up last year, with "Botafogo" snatching the last spot for South America. North America's spots were dealt out the previous summer.
Unlike Europe and South America, teams from Africa, Asia, and North America qualify based on continental champions priority rather than club rankings. For the 2025 World Cup host continent, five spots were granted to the winners of the Champions League from 2021-2024, along with a wild card. This was controversially given to "Inter" featuring Lionel Messi.
Fun Fact: Over the last four years, four clubs have claimed the North American Champions League trophy - Mexican teams "Monterrey", "Pachuca", "Leon", and "Seattle Sounders" from the North American MLS. So, no additional draw or club ranking was necessary. However, reality took an unexpected turn.
Following FIFA's regulations, no more than one club owned by the same owner or legal entity can compete in the tournament. Unfortunately, "Pachuca" and "Leon" share a majority owner - Grupo Pachuca, a violation of these regulations.
Grupo Pachuca is owned by Mexican businessman Jose de Jesus Martinez Patino. He acquired "Pachuca" in 1995 and "Leon" in 2011 when the team was struggling in the second division.
At the World Cup group stage drawing, Patino owned 55% of "Leon" and 50% of "Pachuca". Had it been just 1% less, FIFA might have missed the violation. In order to participate in the tournament and escape a ban from the Mexican Football Federation, Patino vowed to sell "Leon".
Groundbreaking Decision: FIFA ultimately disqualified the Mexicans due to the shared ownership. "Pachuca" was granted priority as the last winner of the CONCACAF Champions League, but no sales took place following the draw, leading to the Mexicans' eventual exclusion. Interestingly, Costa Rican "Alajuelense" also sought the ban, despite not having a guaranteed spot in the Club World Cup, potentially hoping for a wild-card spot.
The situation dragged on until late April, with Pachuca filing an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). "León" and "Pachuca" argued that there was no ban on multiple clubs from the same owner participating in the tournament at the time of their official entry. However, CAS ruled in favor of FIFA as the tournament organizer.
Battle for the Last Spot: One spot still remains vacant for the 2025 Club World Cup. Rumors suggest that FIFA is considering inviting a top European club like "Liverpool" or "Barcelona," or even Saudi Arabia's "Al-Nassr" featuring Cristiano Ronaldo. However, FIFA seems intent on keeping the spot for another North American team.
FIFA is reportedly excited about the prospect of having Ronaldo at the 2025 Club World Cup, with president Gianni Infantino openly discussing ongoing talks with certain teams. Ronaldo has offers from Brazilian clubs and Morocco's "Wydad," but some fans dream of seeing him on loan at "Inter," creating the dream duo of Ronaldo and Messi. FIFA would also likely be ecstatic by this pairing.
Bankrolled by Broadcasters: FIFA's ban cost "Pachuca" and Patino $9.55 million - the amount North American, Asian, and African teams will receive for participating in the tournament. In total, around $1 billion will be distributed among the teams, with FIFA receiving this amount from broadcasters (DAZN) and sponsors. Initial plans were to pay out teams significantly more.
Moreover, base bonuses for European and South American teams are substantially more:
- Six South American clubs will receive $15.21 million each;
- Twelve European teams will receive between $12.81 million and $38.19 million, with payments proportionate to team ranking and media-commercial significance.
In the US, this will be the last game of spring, while in Russia, it will be the first major match of summer (the match will start at 5:30 Moscow time).
There's Money to Burn: Interestingly, the match between "LAFC" and "Club América" to fill "Leon"'s spot in the tournament will be broadcast by DAZN - the only broadcaster for the WC-2025 worldwide. However, in countries where DAZN isn't accessible, FIFA and the company have initiated sub-licenses. In Russia, the championship is aired by Okko, so it's possible that the Los Angeles match will also be streamed.
Additionally, the winner of this match in the Club World Cup will earn much more than a Champions League final win. The potential match in Los Angeles could award significantly more than the main European game of the season. The victor will enter group D with "Chelsea," Brazilian "Flamengo," and Tunisian "Espérance." With "Los Angeles" boasting Hugo Lloris, Olivier Giroud, and "America," the playoffs and substantial earnings are certainly within their reach.
In the world of sports, the ongoing saga of the shared ownership between Mexican clubs "Leon" and "Pachuca" under Grupo Pachuca has caused a stir, particularly in the context of the 2025 World Cup. Despite their victories in the North American Champions League, both clubs were disqualified by FIFA due to the violation of regulations that prohibited more than one club owned by the same entity from competing in the tournament. Following the ban, "Leon" was replaced by a fellow North American club in the Club World Cup, with speculation suggesting that European powerhouses like "Liverpool" or "Barcelona" might be considered instead. However, FIFA seems to be favoring another North American team for the vacant spot. This conflict highlights the financial incentives at play, as the disqualified teams stood to earn significant amounts from participating in the tournament, funded by broadcasters like DAZN.
