Chelsea have learned that Los Angeles FC will join them in Group D at the Club World Cup.
With Club Leon having been prevented from entering the competition due to an ownership rule breach, it left Los Angeles FC and Club America to square off in a playoff tie.
On Saturday, that fixture took place at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, the winners knowing that they would receive a minimum of £7m should they earn the last place at the competition that will commence in the United States on June 14.
Former LAFC player Brian Rodriguez put Club America into the lead from the penalty spot in the 64th minute and it appeared as though they would see out the game.
However, a header from Igor Jesus levelled the game in the 89th minute, LAFC having the momentum heading into 30 minutes of extra time.
LAFC's winner came in the 115th minute, Denis Bouanga's shot taking a deflection on the way to finding the back of the net, to seal a lucrative victory for the MLS outfit.
DENIS. BOUANGA. pic.twitter.com/MPzI0Wxuyk
— LAFC (@LAFC) June 1, 2025
Chelsea to reunite with some familiar faces
Not only will Chelsea meet LAFC in Group D, they will open their campaign against the American outfit at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on June 16.
Games will then follow versus Flamengo and Esperance de Tunis, with whoever finishes in the top two in Group D facing the prospect of playing Bayern Munich, Benfica, Boca Juniors or Auckland City in the last 16.
Chelsea are no strangers to some of the names in the LAFC squad, most notably Olivier Giroud who won a Champions League trophy during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and ex-Leicester City attacker Cengiz Under also feature in Steve Cherundolo's squad.
Darren Plant
