FIFA has excluded León from the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S. due to ownership conflicts with fellow Liga MX team Pachuca. The governing body found that both clubs, owned by the same entity, violate regulations stating no legal entity can control multiple clubs in the tournament. FIFA had investigated the matter since November 2024, giving both teams a chance to prove operational independence. Owner José de Jesús Martínez Patiño holds majority shares in both clubs, complicating their eligibility for the competition.
FIFA announced on Friday that León will be barred from participating in this summer's FIFA Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States.
Article 10 in the regulations states that 'No individual or legal entity may control or exert influence over more than one club participating in the competition.'
FIFA initiated an investigation in November 2024 through an independent committee, allowing representatives from León and Pachuca to demonstrate that they operate as two independent teams.
Martínez Patiño is listed as the majority shareholder of both clubs in the Public Registry of Commerce of the United Mexican States.
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