Excitement is reaching fever pitch as the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup approaches. The scale of the event is unprecedented, showcasing top clubs from around the globe in a highly competitive format. One of the most anticipated matchups is set to take place at BMO Stadium, where local favorites LAFC will face off against the formidable Club América of LIGA MX. Fans eager to attend were recently informed that general public tickets for this thrilling playoff have sold out, as announced by FIFA.
For those who missed out on tickets, FIFA is providing verified resale options. Fans now have the chance to secure a seat for this single-elimination match, which holds substantial stakes. The winner not only secures a spot in Group D alongside powerhouse teams like Chelsea, Flamengo, and ES Tunis but also earns a guaranteed prize of $9.55 million by participating in the tournament.
This year’s expanded tournament features a remarkable 32 teams, marking a new chapter in the history of the FIFA Club World Cup. Spanning from June 14 to July 13, the competition will unfold across the United States and boasts an astounding $1 billion prize pool. This financial windfall underlines the escalating importance and popularity of the tournament.
The playoff match between LAFC and Club América holds particular significance as it fills the spot vacated by Club León, which was disqualified from the tournament due to FIFA’s multi-club ownership regulations. If successful, LAFC will join an elite group of MLS teams at the Club World Cup, becoming the third franchise represented after the Seattle Sounders FC, champions of the 2022 Concacaf Champions Cup, and Inter Miami CF, which earned its place as the host nation.
LAFC’s path to the playoffs is an intriguing story. They were granted this opportunity as the 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup runners-up, following a hard-fought aggregate loss to Club León in the finals. Fast forward two years, LAFC continues to be one of the top contenders in the Western Conference, evidenced by their impressive eight-game unbeaten streak (3 wins, 5 draws). Their most recent outing ended in a dramatic 2-2 comeback draw against CF Montréal, which featured a thrilling finish from star player Olivier Giroud.
Leading the charge for LAFC is the dynamic Denis Bouanga, who has netted 10 goals in 20 appearances across all competitions this season. Other notable contributors include rising homegrown talents like Nathan Ordaz and experienced midfielder Mark Delgado. Adding to the star power, both Giroud and fellow FIFA World Cup champion Hugo Lloris bring immense experience to the squad.
On the other side of the pitch, Club América enters this playoff as a formidable opponent, having secured their spot through top rankings in FIFA’s Concacaf Club Rankings Index, drawn from four years of performance metrics. Despite a strong performance in the regular season, finishing with 34 points in the Clausura, their ambitions for a title were stymied when Toluca defeated them 2-0 in the Leg 2 finale, denying them a fourth consecutive championship.
Among the standout players in Club América’s lineup are USMNT winger and former FC Dallas homegrown talent Alex Zendejas, Real Madrid academy product Álvaro Fidalgo, and longtime captain Henry Martín. Their blend of skill, experience, and tactical knowledge makes them a team to watch as they prepare to face LAFC.
