FIFA has decided to exclude the Mexican club Lyon from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup due to its violation of multi-club ownership rules, as it is part of the same group, Grupo Pachuca, which owns Club Pachuca, violating FIFA regulations.

FIFA confirmed in an official statement that the appeals committee has resolved the matter by allowing Club Pachuca to participate, while Lyon will be excluded. It added that the alternative club that will participate instead of Lyon will be announced later.

Following Lyon's exclusion, speculation has increased regarding the identity of the club that will replace it, with reports suggesting that FIFA may grant the opportunity to one of the major European clubs that did not qualify directly through rankings, primarily Barcelona and Liverpool.

For Barcelona, participating in the FIFA Club World Cup could be a golden opportunity to improve its financial situation, as the champion receives €145 million, a sum that could help the club alleviate its economic crisis.

Lyon did not delay in responding, issuing an official statement through its official accounts, confirming its rejection of the decision. The statement read: "If Lyon is prevented from participating despite its rightful qualification on the field, we will resort to all legal means to defend our rights before the highest sports courts."

FIFA is expected to announce the alternative club soon, amid global anticipation to discover which team will get the chance to participate in the tournament to be held in the United States during the summer of 2025.