Los Angeles FC striker Olivier Giroud is determined to overcome Club America in a play-off clash for the final spot at the Club World Cup as it would give him the opportunity to come up against some familiar faces in the Chelsea squad.
Following Club Leon's removal from the tournament due to breaching multi-club rules, with sister club Pachuca remaining in the competition, LAFC and Club America are set to battle it out on May 31 at BMO Stadium to determine who will take their place.
Giroud Eager to Secure a Place in Competition
World Cup winner would face former side in tournament
Olivier Giroud LAFC
The clash between LAFC and Club America is worth a minimum of $9.55million, plus round-by-round bonuses, and the winner's first group stage encounter at the Club World Cup will be against UEFA Conference League winners Chelsea in Atlanta.
Giroud enjoyed a productive spell with the Blues earlier in his career, thanks to sealing a £18million switch from Arsenal in January 2018, and he is determined to spearhead his current employers to a vital victory to give him the opportunity to battle against the west Londoners.
Ahead of facing Club America for the final spot at the Club World Cup, the World Cup-winning Frenchman said: "This is the kind of match you need to play at 110 per cent. Getting the opportunity to play in that kind of competition is a big chance for the boys. I have never played in it.
"When I won the Champions League with Chelsea, I left for AC Milan the year after. It could be nice to meet Chelsea again but, obviously, it will be a massive game at the weekend against Club America."
"We play at home and we need to start the game in a really strong way, with a good rhythm, strong intensity, and play with our qualities. I'm pretty sure the boys understand the importance of the game for the club, and for ourselves, and we need to grab this opportunity to play in this competition."
LAFC are involving in the play-off due to finishing runners-up to Club Leon in the 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup. Club America qualified as the top club in FIFA's Concacaf Club Rankings Index after the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.
The Club World Cup play-off between LAFC and Club America is live on DAZN.
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