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By TUM BALOGUN Published: 06: 58 AEDT, 24 March 2025 | Updated: 07: 00 AEDT, 24 March 2025 View comments Costa Rican outfit Alajuelense are emerging as a candidate to replace Club Leon in this summer's Club World Cup, according to a report. The Mexican side Leon were kicked out of the competition by FIFA on Friday for breaching the governing body's regulations on multi-club ownership. Both Leon and Liga MX rivals CF Pachuca are owned by Grupo Pachuca. Although both had initially qualified for the expanded 32-team tournament, their participation was challenged on the grounds that they share ownership. Leon, who currently boast former Real Madrid star James Rodriguez among their ranks, were set to play Chelsea in Group D, alongside Flamengo of Brazil and Tunisian outfit Esperance de Tunis. But Friday's judgement means they are now set to be replaced by Alajuelense, according to World Soccer Talk. Interestingly, it was the Costa Rican side that lodged a challenge against Leon and Pachuca competing in the competition's inaugural edition. Under article 10. 1 of the Club World Cup regulations, no participating club may directly or indirectly hold or deal in the securities or shares of another participant. Sunday's report claims that, although FIFA have not yet confirmed Leon's replacement, Alajuelense look to be the most likely stand-in. Chelsea could be set to face Costa Rican side Alajuelense in this summer's Club World Cup The Mexican side Leon were kicked out of the competition by FIFA on Friday for breaching the governing body's regulations on multi-club ownership Alajuelense, currently ranked 45th globally by FIFA, is the highest-ranked CONCACAF team not from Mexico or the MLS FIFA President Gianni Infantino (right) has been the driving force in the creation of the new competition The club, currently ranked 45th globally by FIFA, is the highest-ranked CONCACAF team not from Mexico or the MLS, and therefore the next most suitable representative. After being cut from the competition, Leon responded to the ruling with a strongly worded statement of their own, expressing 'disagreement' with FIFA's decision and vowing to explore legal action. 'Club Leon expresses its disagreement with the decision made by FIFA, which could exclude us from the next Club World Cup, ' the statement read. 'In recent months, we have presented each piece of evidence and documents confirming that Club Leon operates autonomously in all economic, administrative, and sporting aspects. 'Should Club Leon be prevented from participating in the 2025 Club World Cup with the same rights with which it earned a place on the pitch, we will pursue the matter to the fullest extent possible in the highest sporting courts. ' Meanwhile, Pachuca's participation in the 2025 Club World Cup remains in place. They will face 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 a seven-team event - qualified on account of their Champions League final victory over Man City in the 2020-21 season.
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