Chelsea's opening opponents at this summer's FIFA Club World Cup remain unknown after Mexican club Leon's appeal to be reinstated was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
CAS announced on Tuesday it had dismissed appeals by Leon and Pachuca, upholding an earlier decision by FIFA that the clubs breached tournament regulations related to multi-club ownership.
Leon's appeal against their expulsion from the tournament on those grounds was dismissed by CAS, which also rejected an appeal from a Costa Rican club LD Alajuelense, who were seeking to be added to the competition in Leon's place.
CAS said that as a result of the ruling, FIFA would be responsible for deciding who should replace Leon.
Chelsea qualified for the Club World Cup via their Champions League triumph in 2021.
They will be one of two English teams at the tournament in the United States, with Manchester City qualifying as 2023 Champions League winners.
Chelsea were due to face Leon in their opening game in Atlanta on June 16. Their other group stage opponents are Esperance of Tunisia and Brazilian club Flamengo.
