Los Angeles FC will participate in the 2025 Club World Cup at short notice. Coach Steven Cherundolo’s team turned the decisive match against CF America around in extra time.
Following Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders, a third MLS representative can look forward to a home Club World Cup on Sunday morning (CEST): Los Angeles FC secured the 32nd and final ticket for the newly formed tournament in the US, which kicks off in two weeks, with a 2-1 extra-time win over CF America from Mexico.
FIFA had previously excluded Mexican first division club Club Leon from the Club World Cup because it is owned by the same owner as CF Pachuca, which had also qualified. After Club Leon’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) failed at the beginning of May, the world governing body scheduled a play-off between LAFC and CF America at short notice.
And it was a thriller: In a tense atmosphere at BMO Stadium, which is LAFC’s home ground but was half-filled with America fans for this match as if it were a neutral venue, Brian Rodriguez – who wore the LAFC jersey between 2019 and 2022 – gave the visitors from Mexico the lead by beating Hugo Lloris from the penalty spot (64′).
But L.A., with former Nuremberg, Munich, and Fürth player Timothy Tillman in the starting line-up, did not give up. The 22-year-old Brazilian Igor Jesus saved the home side shortly before the end of regular time with a header that sent the game into extra time (89th minute), in which Denis Bouanga became the celebrated winner: the striker converted a pass from substitute Olivier Giroud (115th minute) and sent the BMO Stadium into ecstasy.
LAFC delighted with windfall – and looking forward to Chelsea
Thanks to their unexpected qualification, LAFC are already guaranteed $9.55 million (approx. €8.4 million) in appearance fees. Depending on their performance, further millions in revenue are possible. The team, coached by former Bundesliga pro Steven Cherundolo, will face Conference League winners Chelsea, ES Tunis (Tunisia), and Brazilian top club Flamengo in Group D of the Club World Cup.
LAFC was allowed to participate in the play-off because it lost the final of the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League, which Club Leon qualified for. According to FIFA, CF America was the highest-ranked team not yet qualified in the confederation rankings after the 2024 CONCACAF Champions League.
