Chelsea's Club World Cup campaign starts against a new side after Club Leon gets the boot.
Club Leon gets kicked out of the Club World Cup
The Mexican side, which has that Colombia bellend James Rodriguez, lost its place at the summer competition in the US over a multiple club ownership breach. Club Leon had appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS], who told them to fuck off and upheld FIFA's call.
In a statement, CAS said: "The FIFA Appeal Committee decided in March 2025 that Pachuca and Club Leon breached the regulations for the FIFA World Cup Club 2025 (Art. 10.1) concerning multiple club ownership. Due to this breach, the FIFA Secretary General decided to kick Club Leon out of the competition."
"Pachuca and Club Leon filed appeals seeking to overturn the decision by the FIFA Appeal Committee and declare that the clubs comply with the Club World Cup eligibility requirements. Club Leon filed an additional appeal against the decision by the FIFA Secretary General to be reinstated in the competition."
"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 FIFA World Cup Club 2025 (Art. 10.1) concerning multiple club ownership. 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 full CAS award with reasons for the decision will be issued in due course."
Chelsea fans hoping for a Giroud reunion
FIFA had already organised a play-off game to determine who will replace Club Leon, and that match between Los Angeles FC and another Mexican side, Club America, will now take place. A date has yet to be decided for that match, but Chelsea fans and neutrals will likely be hoping for the MLS outfit to emerge victorious given that their star man up front is former Blue Olivier Giroud. Ex-Spurs and France captain Hugo Lloris also features in goal.
Chelsea's other Club World Cup opponents
Chelsea's other CWC opponents are Brazilian side Flamengo and Tunisian outfit ES Tunis. Club Leon were initially drawn in that four team group five months ago, amid multi-club ownership issues which have now been resolved. The other side owned by Leon's owners Grupo Pachuco, Pachuca, will be allowed to take part in the tournament, and are in a group with Real Madrid, Al Hilal and Salzburg.
$10 million prize for the winner
The winner of the tournament can expect a prize of $10 million from the $1 billion total tournament fund. Let's hope Chelsea can bring home the bacon and show the world that they're the best in the business. But knowing Chelsea, they'll probably bottle it and get knocked out in the first round. Typical Chelsea, always taking liberties with their fans' emotions. But hey, that's the beautiful game for you.
