Costa Rican Outfit ALAJUELENSE is on the rise as a candidate to replace Club Leon in the World Cup of this summer Club, according to a report.
The Mexican side Leon was kicked out of the competition by FIFA on Friday to violate the regulations of the administrative body about Multi-Club ownership. Both Leon and Liga MX Rivals CF Pachuca are owned by Grupo Pachuca. Although both had initially qualified for the extensive 32-team tournament, their participation was challenged on the basis of the fact that they share ownership.
Leon, who currently has a former Real Madrid star James Rodriguez among their ranks, would play Chelsea in Group D, next to Flamengo van Brazil and Tunisian outfit Esperance de Tunis.
But Friday's judgment means that they must now be replaced by Alajuelense, according to World Soccer Talk.
Interestingly, it was the Costa Rican side who indicated a challenge against Leon and Pachuca who participated in the inaugural edition of the competition. Pursuant to Article 10.1 of the regulations of the World Cup club, no participating club may immediately or indirectly hold or handle the effects or shares of another participant.
Sunday's report claims that although FIFA has not yet confirmed Leon's replacement, Alajuelense seems to be the most likely stand-in.
The club, currently ranked in 45th place by FIFA, is the highest ranked Concacaf team, not from Mexico or the MLS, and therefore the next most suitable representative.
After he was cut out of competition, Leon responded to the ruling with a highly formulated statement of their own statement, in which he expressed 'disagreement' with the decision of FIFA and promised to investigate legal action.
“Club Leon expresses his disagreement with the FIFA decision, which could exclude us from the next Club World Cup,” said the statement. 'In recent months we have presented every evidence and documents that confirm that Club Leon works autonomously in all economic, administrative and sporting aspects.
“If Club Leon is prevented from participating in the World Cup 2025 Club with the same rights with which it has earned a place on the field, we will pursue the matter as well as possible in the highest sports courts.”
In the meantime, Pachuca's participation at the World Cup 2025 Club remains in place. They will be confronted with Real Madrid, Al-Hilal and Red Bull Salzburg in Group H.
Pachuca qualified by winning the 2024 edition of the Concacaf Champions Cup, after Leon won the same tournament in 2023.
Chelsea – who won the Club World Cup in February 2022 when it was an event of seven teams – qualified for their last victory of the Champions League over Man City in the 2020-21 season.
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