Chelsea will open their Club World Cup campaign against a new side after Club Leon’s removal was confirmed.
The Mexican side, which contains Colombia legend James Rodriguez, lost its birth 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 rejected their appeal 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 remove Club Leon from the competition.
“Pachuca and Club Leon filed appeals seeking to annul 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.”
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 victories given that their star man up front is former Blue Olivier Giroud.
A Giroud reunion could be on the cardsGettyEx Spurs and France captain Hugo Lloris also features in goal.
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.
The winner of the tournament can expect a prize of $10million from the $1billion total tournament fund.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Chelsea to get new Club World Cup opponents as CAS makes ruling )
Also on site :
- Islanders win NHL draft lottery, claim No. 1 pick
- Saraya Once Again Teases Potential WWE Return
- Israel launches massive airstrikes on Yemen’s biggest airport in revenge blitz after Houthi rebel attack on Tel Aviv