LAFC has secured the last ticket to the big dance, rallying to defeat Club América, 2-1, in a FIFA Club World Cup playoff that required extra time at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Former LAFC attacker Brian Rodríguez had given América a 64th-minute lead from a VAR-assisted penalty kick, and the Liga MX powers seemed to have done just enough to claim a win that will be worth nearly $10 million at a minimum.
However, Igor Jesus’ 89th-minute header leveled the scored, saving LAFC, and in extra time Denis Bouanga — the club’s most important player in recent years — added to his legend by firing home the winner in the 115th minute.
The win sends LAFC into the Club World Cup, where they will join English giant Chelsea, Tunisian club Esperance Sportive de Tunis, and Flamengo, arguably the most well-supported club in Brazil.
Why was there a Club World Cup playoff between LAFC and Club América?
LAFC and Club América were in a playoff due to a convoluted series of events that could only happen when you get Concacaf and FIFA together to sort out a new tournament format.
Initially, the last four winners of the Concacaf Champions Cup — Monterrey, the Seattle Sounders, Club León, and Pachuca — were set to take places in the Club World Cup. However, Club León and Pachuca share owners, something FIFA said cannot be permitted at the Club World Cup. FIFA eventually decided that León was disqualified, and announced a playoff between LAFC (the team León defeated in the 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup) and Club América (the top-ranked Concacaf team in FIFA’s rankings for Club World Cup purposes).
León, Pachuca, and Costa Rican club Alajuelense all appealed, with Alajuelense arguing that as Central America’s top-ranked team, they should be admitted, but all were rejected. That leaves the final spot in Group D up for grabs, with Saturday’s winner claiming the place.
When is the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup?
- Group Stage: June 14-June 26
- Round of 16: June 28-July 1
- Quarterfinals: July 4-5
- Semifinals: July 8-9
- Finals: July 13
What teams are in FIFA Club World Cup?
There are 32 teams in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup that have been separated into eight groups of four for the round-robin group stage in June. Here’s how the field breaks down
Group A
- Al Ahly FC (Egypt)
- FC Porto (Portugal)
- SE Palmeiras (Brazil)
- Inter Miami (United States)
Group B
- Paris Saint-Germain (France)
- Atlético de Madrid (Spain)
- Botafogo (Brazil)
- Seattle Sounders FC (United States)
Group C
- FC Bayern München (Germany)
- Auckland City FC (New Zealand)
- CA Boca Juniors (Argentina)
- SL Benfica (Portugal)
Group D
- Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia)
- CR Flamengo (Brazil)
- Chelsea FC (England)
- LAFC (United States)
Group E
- CA River Plate (Argentina)
- Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
- CF Monterrey (Mexico)
- Inter Milan (Italy)
Group F
- Fluminense FC (Brazil)
- Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
- Ulsan HD (South Korea)
- Mamelodi Sundowns FC (South Africa)
Group G
- Manchester City (England)
- Wydad AC (Morocco)
- Al Ain FC (United Arab Emirates)
- Juventus FC (Italy)
Group H
- Real Madrid (Spain)
- Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
- CF Pachuca (Mexico)
- FC Salzburg (Austria)