FIFA Set to Disqualify a Mexican Club? World Cup Spot at Risk
Facundo Trotta Arrieta
Dailysports's expert
Grupo Pachuca is facing a critical situation that could cost one of its teams a spot in the 2025 Club World Cup. According to recent reports, either Pachuca or León could be excluded from the tournament due to FIFA's regulations that prohibit multi-ownership in the competition. The organization requires that qualified clubs operate independently, something the group's management has yet to demonstrate.
According to ESPN, club representatives have held meetings with FIFA to try to validate the independence of their institutions, but so far they have not convinced the governing body. The regulation is clear: no person or legal entity can control or influence more than one team in the tournament, putting at risk the presence of two representatives from the Mexican group in the historic edition of the Club World Cup to be held in the United States.
Amid this uncertainty, there has even been talk of selling Club León as an extreme solution to avoid the disqualification of one of the teams. However, there is still no official resolution, and the management is still considering taking the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to defend their right to compete. "It is a right that was earned on the field," expressed sources close to the situation.
Amid all these speculations, both Pachuca and León issued statements denying having received any official notification from FIFA regarding their possible exclusion.
“Any information that has been disseminated regarding this issue is speculative. We have complied with all the requirements and fully trust in our participation in the tournament," stated the Tuzos.
If one of the teams is ultimately excluded, FIFA's regulations indicate that their place would be taken by the best Central American team in the CONCACAF ranking, a position currently held by Liga Deportiva Alajuelense from Costa Rica.
