Freshly dethroned in our country, América faces Los Angeles FC this Saturday for the last spot up for grabs in the FIFA Club World Cup , which also includes a guaranteed bonus of nearly $10 million.

This single-match tie will determine León's replacement and will be played at BMO Stadium, home of Los Angeles FC (LAFC).

To justify LAFC's home advantage, FIFA argued that the playoff should be played in one of the eleven host cities for the World Cup, organized in the United States, which kicks off on July 14.

Both teams, excited by this unexpected opportunity, complied with FIFA's decision, which pledged to organize a "completely neutral" playoff with equal access to tickets for both sides.

América, in any case, is relying on the large Mexican community in Los Angeles, California, to ensure it enjoys overwhelming support from the stands, which will be filled with 22,000 fans.

Frustrated dream

For Las Águilas, getting into the World Cup showcase , the first expanded to 32 clubs, would make up for last weekend's tough blow in the final of the 2025 Clausura tournament.

The defeat against Toluca , a team that had gone 15 years without a crown, meant the end of America's dream of winning a fourth consecutive title.

In addition to restoring his squad's confidence, Brazilian coach André Jardine will have to prepare for the possible absence of two attacking mainstays: Henry Martín, his goal-scoring man, and Uruguayan winger Brian Rodríguez, a former LAFC player.

Both players traveled to Los Angeles, but their participation is up in the air due to physical issues. Jardine will build his attack around Mexican-American forward Alejandro Zendejas and Spanish midfielder Álvaro Fidalgo.

Three Mexicans or three Americans?

Should América win, it would join two other Mexican teams already in the World Cup: Monterrey and Pachuca . The North American League (MLS) would also have three representatives if LAFC wins, as it already has the Seattle Sounders and Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.

MLS champions in 2022 and finalists in 2023, LAFC has been one of the strongest clubs in American soccer in recent years and has also been a destination for some of the most recognizable players, such as Carlos Vela, Gareth Bale, and Giorgio Chiellini.

"It's a huge opportunity. As a club, it's what we've always wanted to do," Los Angeles defender Ryan Hollingshead said Friday. "Being in the finals year after year has given us this opportunity; it's not an accident. Some things had to happen, but that's the game."

After a slow start to the current season, Steve Cherundolo's team has picked up momentum, holding sixth place in the Western Conference and going eight games unbeaten.

Gabonese striker Denis Bouanga remains LAFC's biggest threat, as their latest star signing, French forward Olivier Giroud, has failed to establish himself in the starting lineup.

The big check

The winner of the playoff will replace León , which was excluded from the World Cup for being part of the same ownership group as another participating team, Pachuca, a situation prohibited by FIFA regulations.

LAFC qualified for the playoffs by finishing as a finalist in the 2023 Concacaf Champions' Cup, won by León. América, meanwhile, qualified by being the highest-seeded team in the World Cup qualifying round at the end of the 2024 Concacaf Champions League.

One of the two will complete Group D of the tournament along with Chelsea of England, Flamengo of Brazil, and Espérance of Tunisia.

In addition to sporting prestige , there are major financial incentives at stake in Saturday's duel.

The winning team will leave BMO Stadium with a check for $9.55 million, the bonus FIFA guarantees to each World Cup participant, and will compete in an event that will distribute approximately $1 billion in prize money.

Possible lineups:

Los Angeles FC: Hugo Lloris - Sergi Palencia, Eddie Segura, Aaron Long, Ryan Hollingshead - Timothy Tillman, Igor Jesus, Mark Delgado - David Martinez (or Jeremy Ebobisse), Nathan Ordaz, Denis Bouanga. Manager: Steve Cherundolo.

Manager : Andre Jardine.

LAFC vs. América: Time and where to watch the match

Time: 8:30 pm
Through Channel 5, TUDN and ViX Premium