The 32nd and final club to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ was locked in on Saturday evening, with Los Angeles Football Club advancing to the competition proper by staging a thrilling come-from-behind 2-1 extra-time victory against Club América at BMO Stadium in California, after only securing the equaliser in the 89th minute.
In front of a sold-out and visually and audibly stunning crowd of 20,714, The Black and Gold earned the right to represent Concacaf and the United States in Group D of the competition, adding another unforgettable chapter to their rapidly burgeoning story.
Los Angeles Football Club will now challenge England’s Chelsea FC, Tunisia’s Espérance Sportive de Tunis and Brazil’s CR Flamengo in Group D of FIFA’s new 32-team tournament, which will kick-off at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, 14 June when Egyptian giants Al Ahly FC challenge Inter Miami CF.
Steve Cherundolo’s team will play their group stage matches in Atlanta (16 June), Nashville (20 June) and Orlando (24 June).
FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated Los Angeles Football Club on qualifying for the inaugural tournament – one that will bring together the most successful club sides from every continent in the world for 30 days of elite and inspiring competition.
“Congratulations to Los Angeles Football Club on qualifying for the brand-new FIFA Club World Cup 2025,” Mr Infantino said. “I wish you the very best for this global, inclusive tournament which will crown the official FIFA Club World Champions. Good luck for your group games, LAFC, in Atlanta, Nashville and Orlando.”
By advancing to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, Los Angeles Football Club secured a considerable financial prize to complement the international sporting opportunity. The club will receive USD 9.55 million for reaching the group stage and will now have the chance to compete for further rewards as part of the tournament’s USD 1 billion total prize pot. The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will feature a total of 63 matches across Atlanta, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York New Jersey, Orlando, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington, D.C. from 14 June to 13 July, 2025.
Photo/LAFC/X