FIFA has officially announced a playoff match between LAFC and Club América to determine the final spot in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The matchup comes after Club León was stripped of its qualification due to a sanction related to multiple club ownership violations.
The decision to pit LAFC against América is based on sporting merit: LAFC finished as runners-up in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League, while América was the highest-ranked club in the FIFA Club World Cup rankings from the Concacaf region at the conclusion of the 2024 edition—marking the final year of qualification.
The winner of this one-off match will claim the last available berth in the tournament and join Group D, where they’ll face Flamengo (Brazil), Espérance (Tunisia), and Chelsea FC (England). Group stage matches for this group will take place in Atlanta, Nashville, and Orlando.
LAFC vs. Club América: Head-to-head
The two sides have met only once in official competition, with LAFC defeating Club América 3-1 thanks to a Carlos Vela brace and a goal from Latif Blessing. América’s lone goal came from Sebastián Cáceres. The clubs have also faced off twice in friendlies, with América winning one in a 6-5 penalty shootout and LAFC taking the other 2-1.
Probable lineups for LAFC vs. Club America
LAFC: Hugo Lloris; Sergi Palencia, Aaron Long, Eddie Segura, Ryan Hollingshead; Timothy Tillman, Igor Jesus, Marco Delgado; David Martínez, Olivier Giroud, Dennis Bouanga.
Club América: Luis Malagón; Cristian Borja, Sebastián Cáceres, Ramón Juárez, Israel Reyes; Kevin Álvarez, Álvaro Fidalgo, Jonathan Dos Santos, Erick Sánchez; Alejandro Zendejas, Rodrigo Aguirre.
