The MLS clubs that could replace León at the Club World Cup

A major shakeup has rocked FIFA and the Club World Cup less than 100 days before the highly anticipated tournament kicks off in the United States. The global governing body of soccer announced that Liga MX representatives Club León have been disqualified from the competition, necessitating the search for a replacement.

In an official statement, FIFA emphasized that, according to its regulations, any club chosen to replace León must belong to the same confederation or federation as the disqualified team. This means the replacement must be a CONCACAF-affiliated club, originating from either Mexico’s Liga MX or Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States.

Two MLS teams could be called by FIFA for this summer’s Club World Cup

This development opens the door for teams like the Columbus Crew AND the Philadelphia Union, both of which could contend for the spot based on their rankings. However, the final decision on which club will replace the recently disqualified Club León ultimately rests with FIFA.

Philadelphia Union and Columbus Crew’s chances in the Club World Cup are intriguing but face stiff competition. With MLS teams like Inter Miami (as the host) and Seattle Sounders (Concacaf Champions Cup winners) already qualified, the possibility of a third MLS team entering is viable. However, the rankings tell a different story, pointing instead to a Liga MX team.

Where are Philadelphia and Columbus Crew in FIFA’s club ranking?

According to FIFA’s confederation rankings as of 14 March 2025, Club América stands as the highest-ranked team eligible for the vacant slot, after Monterrey (already qualified) and León (now disqualified). As a three-time champion of Mexican soccer, Club América is positioned as the most likely candidate for the replacement. That said, the final decision will still depend on FIFA’s determination.

Following Club América, other strong contenders for the vacant spot left by León include the Philadelphia Union, Cruz Azul, and the Columbus Crew. These teams are among the hopefuls aiming to seize this opportunity and secure their place in the 2025 Club World Cup. While Club América appears to have the edge in FIFA’s rankings, the race remains open, offering a glimmer of hope for the other candidates. FIFA rankings are updated every month based on official matches played, and with seven points currently separating América (44 points) in third and Columbus Crew (37 points) in sixth, the positions could change over the next few weeks.

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