Liga MX announces a Clausura 2026 with a World Cup flavor and à la carte rules

The tournament adapts to the World Cup with double dates and flexible rules, while the big duels already have a date in the calendar.

Publicado 17 diciembre, 2025 el 17 de diciembre a las 20:26 | 5 mins reading |2,926 vistas | por Miguel Torres

Liga MX presents its calendar: A juggling act between the three-time championship and the World Cup

Just as the last confetti of Apertura 2025 was being swept away, the calendar geniuses in the Liga MX already had their next act of magic ready: the Clausura 2026 calendar. And boy, this is not just any tournament. It is the perfect appetizer for the World Cup banquet that will be served in our country, a semester where Toluca will attempt what few achieve: a three-time championship. Because, of course, what better scenario to make history than one where everyone is looking towards the World Cup? The pressure is just a decorative detail.

As it is a year in which the soccer planet will turn its eyes towards Mexico, the agenda had to go under the knife and came out with a couple of “aesthetic” modifications. To begin with, they give us three double dates, because what is professional football without a bit of extreme physical exhaustion? The first falls in the same week two, so that the teams get used to the suffering quickly. Then, after Day 3, there comes a 15-day break for some friendlies of the Mexican National Team which, surprise, are outside of FIFA dates. A strategic pause, or perhaps just a logistical whim, so that we can all take a deep breath… or so that the injuries multiply.

The circus starts and the classics set the agenda

The show lights up on Friday, January 9 with a hat trick of matches. The honor of opening the curtain falls to Atlas vs Puebla at the Jalisco Stadium. Meanwhile, Toluca, carrying the weight of its two-time championship as if it were a crown of thorns, begins its search for a three-time championship with a visit to the majestic BBVA to face the “Rayados” of Monterrey. Nothing like starting with a titanic challenge, right? Because easy is boring.

But let’s talk about what really makes fans’ hearts beat (or explode): the classics. The League, in an act of generosity, has given us the dates to plan our family and group discussions months in advance. The National Classic, Chivas vs América, takes place on Saturday, February 14. How romantic, celebrating love with a party that usually generates anything but that. The Clásico Tapatío (Chivas vs Atlas) and the Clásico Regiomontano (Tigres vs Monterrey) share the bill on Saturday, March 7, a two-for-one regional rivalry. Then, the Capital Classic (América vs Pumas) arrives on March 21, and to close with a flourish, the Cruz Azul vs América on April 11. It’s like a gastronomic tour, but with football hate.

A season finale… with relaxed rules

Here comes the best. For the final phase of the tournament, the Liguilla, the teams will be left without their Mexican teams, who will gather earlier at the express request of Javier Aguirre. The goal? Work for the World Cup. A sensible decision, although it leaves clubs in a “every man for himself” situation. But fear not, the League has a contingency plan: flexible rules! Clubs will be able to field up to nine players “Not Trained in Mexico”, when the usual regulations allow only seven on the field. That is, to compensate for the absence of locals, the door is opened to more foreigners. A solution as pragmatic as it is questionable. Doesn’t this take away the essence of the local tournament? Ah, but it’s for a good cause: the World Cup. That justifies everything, apparently.

The playoff party starts on May 2 and 3 with the first leg quarterfinals. The return will be on 9 and 10. The semifinals are scheduled for May 13, with the decisive duels on 16 and 17. And the grand finale, the crowning moment, will have its departure on May 21 and the return, where it will be known whether Toluca makes history or not, on May 24. Just in time for everyone to turn to see the real event of the year: the World Cup.

In summary, the Clausura 2026 is shaping up to be a bridge tournament, a strange hybrid between local competition and the long shadow of the World Cup. With tight dates, adaptive rules and an extra dose of drama for the feat that Toluca is seeking, it promises to be a semester of chaotic and fascinating transition. A social-football experiment that we will all witness, for better or worse.

Ready to mark the key dates on your calendar and follow this circus of emotions?Share this note with other soccer fans and explore more content about the preparation of Liga MX and the National Team for the event of the year.

Sports

Portugal fires Modric and keeps Ronaldo’s dream alive

Portugal beats Croatia 2-1 and advances to the round of 16; Modric says goodbye to the World Cup.

Publicado 1 hour ago el 2 de julio a las 23:22 | 2 mins reading

Portugal and Croatia faced each other in a duel that defined their place in the round of 16. It was also the last World Cup dance for two legends: Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric. In the end, Portugal won 2-1 and prolonged the hope of their captain, while the Croatian said goodbye to the World Cups.

Development of the meeting

The game started with intensity. Croatia warned in the 3rd minute with a shot by Ante Budimir that the Portuguese goalkeeper controlled without problems. Portugal responded immediately: Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha tested the Croatian goalkeeper, but the scoreboard did not move. During the first half, the Lusitanians took control of the pace, although without achieving anything. Both teams went into the break at 0-0.

In the second half, Croatia struck first. In the 53rd minute, Ivan Perišić controlled inside the area and scored with precision to open the scoring, his first goal in the tournament. The Balkans were close to extending the lead in the 56th minute, but Nikola Vlašić scored from an offside position and the goal was disallowed.

Portugal reacted in the 60th minute with a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo, also disallowed for offside. However, at 68′, the Portuguese took revenge from the penalty spot and made it 1-1. Croatia once again had a goal disallowed in the 80th minute, when Petar Sucic was penalized for offside. Moments later, Ronaldo was replaced by Rúben Neves, visibly upset.

When the game seemed to be heading towards overtime, Gonçalo Ramos appeared at minute 90+3 and, with a header, unleashed the Portuguese celebration. Croatia tried to equalize and Joško Gvardiol scored at 90+12, but the referee annulled the action. Portugal took the victory and sealed its ticket to the round of 16, where Spain awaits.

The night left two faces: the joy of Ronaldo, who continues dreaming, and the farewell of Modric, who closes his World Cup history with the pride of an unforgettable generation.

Sports

Pochettino adopts the Mexican song to motivate the US

The phrase that unites Mexico and the United States in the World Cup.

Publicado 2 hours ago el 2 de julio a las 22:45 | 2 mins reading

The shared illusion

The journey of the Mexican National Team in this World Cup has revived the hope of millions. After beating Ecuador in the round of 32, the team advances with the dream of reaching the quarterfinals, or even further. The fans chant a chant that has become a flag: “What if?” — a phrase that Javier Aguirre described as nice and that now resonates in the stands.

But Mexico is not the only living host. The United States, led by Mauricio Pochettino, also qualified for the round of 16, where they will face Belgium. The Argentine coach borrowed that same question to fire up his players.

Pochettino’s strategy

In an interview with Pat McAfee’s show, Pochettino said: “Why not us?”

“It is an incredible country with incredible people, it is possible for us to achieve whatever we want. They reached the moon, it is true that they are the most powerful country in all areas. Why not also in football? Why not us?” said the former Tottenham and PSG coach.

The statement seeks to spread confidence in a team that seeks to make history. The illusion, as in Mexico, sneaks into the American locker room.

Sports

Checo Pérez dreams of seeing Mexico, but Silverstone stops him

Checo Pérez and George Russell joke about attending the Mexico vs England match, but the British GP prevents it.

Publicado 2 hours ago el 2 de julio a las 22:21 | 2 mins reading

Checo Pérez’s desire for Mexico vs England

This Sunday, the Mexican National Team faces England in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, at the Mexico City Stadium. Mexican driver Sergio “Checo” Pérez, currently at Cadillac, expressed his desire to attend the game. In statements alongside the English pilot George Russell, Pérez recalled that he had already regretted not being able to go to the duel against South Korea in Guadalajara.

“It was very sad, I tried to go but it was difficult to find a way, but if we move forward I will definitely go, because it would be in Mexico City again, so I will have to go,” mentioned Checo.

When Russell said the game is against England, the Mercedes driver joked: “Then I’ll get on the plane and go with you.”

The conflict with the British Grand Prix

However, both seem to forget that on Sunday, at 8:00 a.m. (Mexico City time), they must be present at the British Grand Prix, at Silverstone. The game is at 6:00 p.m., Mexican time, which makes it impossible for them to attend the Coloso de Santa Úrsula.

Although the hope was there, the Formula 1 agenda and the World Cup dream collide. For now, Checo will have to settle for watching the match from the Silverstone paddock, as Mexico looks to advance to the quarterfinals.