Deflated Club América still have Club World Cup playoff to look forward to

For Club América fans, the outcome of the 2025 Liga MX Clausura has been a major blow but there is no time for lamenting Sunday’s second leg loss to Toluca. Despite the bitter taste of defeat which frustrated the club’s dream of winning a fourth Liga MX championship in a row, the azulcrema now turn their attention to a possible ticket at the 2025 Club World Cup.

Following the CAS decision to exclude Club León from the competition due to a breach on multi ownership regulations, America and LAFC have a chance to become the 32nd team at the Club World Cup.

When will América play for a spot in the Club World Cup?

América will face LAFC in the 2025 Club World Cup playoff. This match will be played on Saturday, May 31 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

Why will America play LAFC and what group could they be in?

The 2025 Club World Cup marks a new era for international football, expanding to a 32-team format that will be played in the United States from June 14 to July 13, culminating at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. CONCACAF has secured four coveted spots in the elite competition.

Three of these spots were already secured by recent Concacaf Champions Cup winners: Monterrey (winner in 2021), Seattle Sounders FC (champion in 2022), and Pachuca (crowned in 2024).

The controversy arose with Club León, the champion of the 2023 Concacaf Champions League. León’s appeal was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on May 6, 2025, confirming its exclusion from the tournament.

The vacant spot will be decided by a one off playoff match between Los Angeles FC, runner-up to León in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League, and Club América. The Águilas’ selection was based on their position as the highest-ranked club in the CONCACAF rankings at the end of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup. The winner of that matchup will face Chelsea, Espérance Sportive de Tunis, and Flamengo.