- Alajuelense requests a spot in the 2024 Club World Cup, arguing that the participation of Leon and Pachuca violates FIFA’s multi-ownership rule.
- FIFA’s expanded 32-team Club World Cup will be held in the U.S. from June to July 2024, but concerns over player welfare have been raised by FIFPRO.
- Alajuelense has hired a law firm in Spain to explore legal action if their request is denied.
- The CONCACAF region’s representatives in the Club World Cup include the Seattle Sounders, Monterrey, Leon, Pachuca, and Inter Miami.
Alajuelense, the most successful football club in Costa Rica with 30 league titles, is petitioning FIFA for a spot in the 2024 Club World Cup, arguing that the participation of two Mexican clubs—Leon and Pachuca—violates FIFA’s rules on multi-ownership. The club claims that these teams share the same owner, Jesus Martinez of Grupo Pachuca, which they believe contradicts the tournament’s eligibility requirements.
Alajuelense’s spokesman, Marco Vazquez, emphasized that FIFA’s regulations prohibit clubs under the same ownership from competing in the tournament. “What we are asking is for FIFA to review its own rules,” Vazquez said, highlighting the presence of two teams owned by the same entity in the competition.
FIFA is expanding the Club World Cup from seven teams to 32, with the tournament scheduled to take place in the United States between June and July of 2024. While Alajuelense seeks to enforce the eligibility rules, the tournament’s players’ union, FIFPRO, has raised concerns over the increasing physical and mental strain on players due to a congested fixture schedule, suggesting the possibility of a strike.
Alajuelense has engaged a law firm in Spain to explore potential legal action should their request be denied. The Costa Rican club has made it clear they are prepared to take FIFA to court if necessary. FIFA has yet to publicly respond to Alajuelense’s claims.
In the CONCACAF region, the teams that have qualified for the Club World Cup include the Seattle Sounders, Monterrey, Leon, and Pachuca, with Inter Miami also participating as the host country’s guest. All five teams will be part of the draw on December 5 in Miami.
Meanwhile, Mexico’s Liga MX is grappling with multi-ownership concerns, as several groups own multiple clubs in the top division. Despite a ban on multi-ownership announced in May 2023, which gives owners four years to sell, Martinez has pledged to sell part of Leon while maintaining partial ownership.
