Why did Leon get removed from the Club World Cup? The final team was announced on June 1

Why did Mexico Leon get rid of the Club World Cup and miss the FIFA World Club Cup staged in the United States in the summer? Because the international football management agency investigated that Leon and its brother team Pachuca, which is also a member of the Mexican Premier League, failed to meet the ownership standards of owning multiple clubs. This violation directly led to the cancellation of Leon's qualification for participation.

Under the revised competition rules in 2024, any multiple clubs under the control of a single legal entity will be prohibited from participating. Article 10 of the rules of the competition clearly states: "No individual or legal entity shall control or exert influence on multiple clubs participating in the competition."

In Mexico, the practice of the same consortium owning multiple clubs has been deemed illegal and is planned to be completely eradicated by 2027. Martinez Pattino has publicly expressed his intention to sell Leon to ensure Pachuca can continue to compete in the World Club Cup. However, as of now, official records show that the equity structure of the two teams has not changed, and there is no intervention from new investors.

The Leon team has been confirmed to be removed, so the Los Angeles Galaxy and Mexican teams Mexico America will compete for the last Club World Cup spot on June 1. Pachuca continues to compete in this year's Club World Cup. They are currently divided into Group H, with Salzburg Red Bull, Real Madrid and Riyadh Crescent. Considering the overall strength gap in Group H, it is very difficult for Pachuca to qualify.