Giroud and LAFC Seek a Historic Ticket to the Club World Cup
The star forward of Los Angeles FC, Olivier Giroud, who has conquered the World Cup and the UEFA Champions League during his illustrious career, is preparing for an unprecedented challenge. His team will face Club América in a crucial match that will define the fate of both clubs in the next edition of the Club World Cup.The winner of this direct elimination match will secure a place in the Club World Cup, giving a North American team the opportunity to compete against the giants of world football in the largest edition in the history of the tournament.
“Having the opportunity to play in this competition is a great occasion for us. We must take advantage of it,” declared Giroud.
Olivier Giroud
In addition to sporting prestige, the winning team at BMO Stadium will guarantee a considerable sum of money, with a minimum of 9.55 million dollars for their participation in the Club World Cup, and the possibility of aspiring to almost 100 million dollars from the largest prize fund in the history of the tournament, which amounts to almost one billion dollars.
The atmosphere in the stadium promises to be electrifying. Thanks to an equitable distribution of tickets, LAFC’s stadium will be packed with passionate fans, both from the home team and Club América, one of the most important clubs in Mexico. The Los Angeles fanbase for Mexican soccer is known for its fervor, and América has a legion of followers in Southern California. It’s no surprise that players and coaches anticipate a momentous experience in this high-tension match.The Club World Cup will feature 32 teams for the first time, and will be held in the United States a year before the World Cup returns to North America. Two MLS clubs and two Liga MX clubs have already qualified for the event, and LAFC or América will join them based on the results of this single match.“It’s something huge. The stakes are probably as high as possible. Two North American titans battling. I’m sure BMO will be on another level. I’m sure the fans of both sides will give it their all, giving 100%. If you’re a fan, these are the matches you want to see. It’s going to be incredible,” expressed Aaron Long, LAFC center back.
Aaron Long
Giroud has achieved almost everything in world football, except this. Chelsea won the Champions League with Giroud in 2021, which earned him a place in the Club World Cup, but Giroud left for AC Milan before the tournament was played.
The winner of the qualifying match will face Chelsea, Flamengo from Brazil, and ES Tunis from Tunisia in the group stage.“This is the kind of match you need to play at 110%. I’ve never played in it. It could be nice to face Chelsea again, but obviously it will be a massive match (first),” Giroud stated.
Olivier Giroud
LAFC and América earned this opportunity after FIFA disqualified León due to its rules against the participation of multiple clubs owned by the same entity. León and the also-qualified Liga MX team, Pachuca, are owned by the same group, and León lost its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after attempting to change its ownership structure.
The decision was finalized just 3 and a half weeks ago, which made this quick single-match playoff for the last spot necessary.
The match will also serve as an informal referendum on the friendly rivalry between MLS and Liga MX for unofficial recognition as the best professional league in North America. LAFC and América already faced each other in a preseason friendly in Los Angeles this year, but the qualifying match is different.
“It’s going to be interesting to face one of the best Mexican clubs, and it’s going to be tough, challenging, but it’s also what you play football for,” added Lloris. “When I signed for LAFC, I didn’t expect to have this kind of opportunity. I know that in life and in football, when you have this kind of opportunity, you have to do everything possible to take advantage of it.” LAFC has enjoyed consistent success since its MLS debut in 2018, winning the MLS Cup playoffs championship in 2022 and earning two Supporters’ Shields for the best regular season record. LAFC is unbeaten in eight matches since a defeat in the CONCACAF Champions League knockout round against Inter Miami, invited to the Club World Cup, last April.“I think this match will be prepared like a final,” said LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, another world champion.
Hugo Lloris
América is generally considered the most popular and decorated club in Mexico, and Las Águilas have been at the top of Liga MX for much of the previous three seasons. Their Brazilian coach, André Jardine, drew international praise while his team won three consecutive titles before losing the Clausura final to Toluca last Sunday night, falling just short of becoming the second team in Mexican history to win four consecutive championships.
