Call it the $10 million match.
The richest in Los Angeles Football Club history.
Technically, $9.55 million, but whatever else LAFC gains by qualifying for this summer’s U.S.-based FIFA Club World Cup would more than make up the difference.
All of this is contingent on LAFC making the most of a chance to win its way into the tournament, which it learned it can following a ruling Tuesday by a Swiss court.
LAFC will host Club América for a playoff match May 31 at BMO Stadium, a source familiar with FIFA’s plan said.
The match at the end of the month will be the second encounter of the year between the Major League Soccer and Liga MX representatives. The first, in mid-February, was LAFC’s final preseason contest.
LAFC and América, respectively the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League runner-up and the top team in the Club World Cup confederation rankings at the end of 2024, served as FIFA’s contingency plan pending the Court of Arbitration for Sport decision that determined the fate of Club León, the team who that LAFC two years ago for the continental trophy.
On Tuesday, FIFA welcomed the news that the tribunal rejected appeals from León, Pachuca and Costa Rican club Alajuelense following a decision stating that the Mexican sides breached the competition regulations because they share ownership ties.
Alajuelense’s argument, that it should be admitted into the tournament in their place, was heard in Madrid last month and also denied.
In the end, León is out.
The 2024 CONCACAF champion Pachuca remain.
And a spot in the Club World Cup’s Group D awaits either LAFC or América.
The 32-club competition, featuring the most successful clubs over the past four years across FIFA’s six confederations, runs from June 14 to July 13.
LAFC or América will begin the group stage against Premier League power Chelsea on June 16 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Next is a trip to Nashville on June 20 to take on ES Tunis at Geodis Park. And on June 24 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, the points phase closes against Brazilian giant Flamengo.
On top of the hefty reward for qualifying, wins during the group stage are worth $2 million each. Draws earn $1 million. Payouts of the $1 billion prize pool escalate over the course of the knockout rounds, with potentially $125 million going to the winner.
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