FIFA line up European giants in controversial plan for final Club World Cup spot after axing club from the competition

A European giant could be in line to take the final spot at this summer's FIFA Club World Cup after Mexican side Club Leon were removed from the competition last month.

Both Manchester City and Chelsea will be competing in the 32-club competition held in the US across June and July after the regular European season has come to a close.

Pep Guardiola's City qualified through winning the Champions League in 2023, while Chelsea will be competing after claiming the trophy in 2021 with a 1-0 win over City.

Several other top European sides are taking part including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Porto, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Red Bull Salzburg.

Last month, it was confirmed that Mexican side Club Leon had lost their place in the competition over multi-club ownership rules, as parent company Grupo Pachuca also owns fellow participants Pachuca.

An appeal against the decision has been lodged at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) which will be heard in May.

Since then, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has suggested a solution to fill the currently vacant 32nd spot in the tournament.

He has proposed a play-off match taking place between MLS outfit Los Angeles FC and Mexican side Club America, with the victor taking the spot which Club Leon previously held.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino. (Image: Getty)

Infantino confirmed this play-off match will be held if CAS upholds FIFA's original ruling and Club Leon's removal remains.

Infantino said: "In a couple of weeks we will have the final and definitive decision, we will respect any decision.

"What we are looking at is that, if CAS confirms the decision of the Appeals Committee, FIFA's intention is to play a match, a playoff, between the team that lost the final of the CONCACAF Champions League, LAFC, and the next team in the ranking, which is America."

However, since then, the prospect of Barcelona being invited as a replacement for Club Leon has emerged in reports from Mexico.

Barca missed out on becoming Spain's second representative at the competition owing to poor European performances in recent seasons, with Atletico joining current Champions League holders Real.

However, it appears Barca could be handed a lifeline to take part in the newly expanded tournament as conversations continue to take place at FIFA's Zurich headquarters.