LAFC and Club América Clash for Club World Cup Spot in High-Stakes Playoff


On Saturday at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, LAFC and Club América will battle for a coveted place in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Per MLSsoccer.com, the winner of the one-off playoff replaces Club León, disqualified due to FIFA’s multi-club ownership rules, and will join Group D alongside Chelsea, Flamengo, and ES Tunis.
LAFC, runners-up in the 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup, have a shot at redemption and would become the third MLS team in the expanded 32-team tournament, joining Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami. The event takes place in the U.S. from June 14 to July 13, with a $9.55 million participation prize and nearly $100 million in total winnings on offer.
Currently fourth in the Western Conference with 23 points, Steve Cherundolo’s LAFC are on an eight-game unbeaten run and have lost only once at home all year. Denis Bouanga leads the charge with 10 goals, while homegrown striker Nathan Ordaz has secured the starting role over Giroud and Ebobisse.
Club América earned their playoff berth as the top CONCACAF club in FIFA’s regional index after the 2024 CCC. Though they missed out on a fourth straight title in Liga MX, falling to Toluca in the Clausura semifinals, André Jardine’s squad features potent threats in Alex Zendejas, Álvaro Fidalgo, and longtime captain Henry Martín.
These teams last met in a February friendly, which LAFC won 2-1. With even ticket distribution and high stakes on the line, only one can rise to the occasion and claim a World Cup place.












