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'We requested a neutral venue' - Club América executive weighs in on FIFA's decision to play Club World Cup playoff match at LAFC's BMO Stadium

FIFA Club World Cup

Los Angeles FC

Esperance

Club América’s Chief Operating Officer, Héctor González Iñárritu, reaffirmed that the team’s qualification for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup playoff against LAFC is the result of merit, not influence. Speaking at a press conference, the executive addressed recent speculation surrounding the decision and clarified the club's position.The executive firmly dismissed any claims suggesting América had a hand in sidelining León, the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League winners. Instead, he emphasized that the club’s inclusion is a result of consistent performance over time."We earned this on our own merit. Up to 2024, we were the highest-ranked team in the region. Our presence in this playoff is deserved, and the fans should be proud of that," he said.Iñárritu also addressed the decision to stage the match in Los Angeles, rather than at a neutral venue. While América had requested a neutral site for fairness, FIFA was unable to secure a stadium that met the required capacity and logistical standards. Nonetheless, the club sees the venue as a manageable factor, confident that their strong fanbase in the U.S. will provide support. The match between LAFC and Club América will take place on May 31 at BMO Stadium, home of Steve Cherundolo’s squad."We’re grateful to FIFA for the opportunity to play this match. América has earned the right to be here. Like any team, we requested a neutral venue, but we understand FIFA did what it could to find a large and suitable stadium," he concluded.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The playoff against LAFC will determine CONCACAF’s final representative in the newly formatted 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place in 2025.According to Iñárritu, FIFA's invitation was based strictly on sporting performance. By the end of 2024, América had emerged as the top-ranked CONCACAF club under FIFA’s criteria—earning the opportunity to compete for a place in the expanded 2025 Club World Cup."As a team and institution, we were completely uninvolved in everything that was said around this decision," Iñárritu stated. "We have always respected FIFA's regulations. Once the opportunity arose, we accepted it, respecting their decisions as we always do."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Their upcoming clash on May 31 will mark the fourth meeting between the two sides — and could signal the beginning of a mini-dominance by the MLS side if they come out on top. So far, LAFC has won two of the three previous encounters against América, which include two official matches and one international friendly.

DID YOU KNOW?

Club América will fight for a place in the Clausura 2025 final this Sunday against Cruz Azul, but they’ll have to do it without manager André Jardine on the sidelines. The Brazilian coach was sent off during the first leg of the semifinals. Despite trailing 1-0 on aggregate, Las Águilas will advance to the final with any win over La Máquina, thanks to their higher seeding.

WHAT NEXT FOR CLUB AMÉRICA?

'We requested a neutral venue' - Club América executive weighs in on FIFA's decision to play Club World Cup playoff match at LAFC's BMO Stadium | Goal.com Malaysia

The match between LAFC and Club América will take place on May 31 at BMO Stadium, home of Steve Cherundolo’s squad.

&apos;We requested a neutral venue&apos; - Club América executive weighs in on FIFA&apos;s decision to play Club World Cup playoff match at LAFC&apos;s BMO Stadium

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