LAFC has qualified as the 32nd and final club for the Club World Cup, which begins later this month in the United States. The American club defeated Mexico’s Club América 2-1 after extra time.
LAFC takes over the ticket from Club León, which was excluded from the Club World Cup by FIFA in March. The problem was that the Mexican club has the same owners as CF Pachuca, which is also qualified. This is against FIFA rules. Pachuca is allowed to participate.
LAFC (with 145-time French international Hugo Lloris in goal) and Club América competed for the final ticket in a match at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. After ninety minutes, the score was 1-1, after goals from Brian Rodríguez (Club America) and Igor Jesus (LAFC). In extra time, Denis Bouanga scored the winning goal for the MLS club.
LAFC will be placed in Group C, with Brazil’s Flamengo, Tunisia’s Espérance Sportive de Tunis, and Chelsea. The club from Los Angeles is the third American club to qualify, after Seattle Sounders FC and Inter Miami.
The first edition of the new Club World Cup, which is held once every four years, begins on June 14, and the final is on July 13. In addition to the sporting aspect, finances also play a major role in the tournament.
According to FIFA, a winner from Europe can earn a maximum of 125 million dollars (116 million euros).