Changes in the Liga MX ahead of the 2026 World Cup

▲ Owners and managers of the first division met yesterday at the FMF headquarters. Photo courtesy of the federation.

Alberto Aceves

Sent

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, p. a11

Toluca, Mexico, Mexico's World Cup plan for 2026 calls for changes to the Liga MX competition format, including a final phase without national teams or a play-in round, new rules for signing foreign players, and an increase in playing time under the youth system.

With the agreement of first division owners and executives, Mexican Football Federation (FMF) commissioner Mikel Arriola announced the validation of a plan that includes the release of select players six and a half weeks before the Cup, the holding of two matches in January without affecting the local tournament, and training camps in 2025 and 2026.

"The final phase of the 2026 Clausura will be played without national teams or play-in teams , in order to conclude the tournament sooner," Arriola explained in his report on the Members' Assembly held yesterday at the FMF. The ultimate goal of the project put together by coach Javier Aguirre, champion of the Concacaf Nations League, is the same as in previous editions of the World Cup, but adapted to FIFA's current format. "Mexico has been among the top 16 in the Cup. The fifth match places us among the top eight. The goal that Vasco sets, according to the new format, is the sixth match," said Federation President Ivar Sisniega.

The Tricolor's remaining commitments in 2025 include preparation matches against Switzerland and Turkey (June 7 and 10), the start of the Gold Cup (June 14 to July 6), in addition to friendlies against South Korea and Japan (September 6 and 9), South American teams Colombia and Ecuador (October 11 and 14) and two other Conmebol rivals to close out the year (November 10 and 18).

Based on this activity, the federations agreed on criteria to improve the quality of players not trained in Mexico, based on their performance in national teams, leagues, age, and the status of Designated Player, in the case of MLS.

Regarding the youth rule, the number of minutes required will increase from 1,000 to 1,170 starting in the 2025-2026 season, based on the 2003 category.

The 2025 Apertura tournament will kick off on July 11 – the full schedule will be announced on June 4 – while the dates for the Club World Cup (June 14-July 13), Campeón de Campeones (July 20), All-Star Game (July 23), and FIFA Intercontinental Cup (November 10-19) have been notified to participating teams.

The number of double-headers in the Mexican league will be reduced by half, and the league will only have a one-week hiatus , announced Francisco Iturbide, general director of competitions, operations, and development.

Bill

In addition to strengthening the VAR system with 28 additional cameras in all stadiums—now operated by Genius Sports—and approving the sale of the Querétaro club to a yet-to-be-confirmed foreign investment fund, FMF Secretary General and Legal Director Rodrigo Riestra indicated that Mexican soccer authorities are working with the United Nations Office on Violence and Crime to introduce a bill to address match-fixing cases.

Players from the Apodaca, Correcaminos, Real Zamora, and Aguacateros clubs in the Premier League (third professional division) and a player from the Mazatlán women's team were suspended this year by the Disciplinary Commission for several years after their involvement in manipulating results was confirmed. "We have had contact with the UN Office on Violence and Crime, who are supporting us in the formulation and analysis of various initiatives that have been implemented in other countries ," Riestra stated.

Regarding the measures taken by the FMF regarding illegal betting, the director stated that complaints have already been filed and ratified with the Attorney General's Office, and, through sports channels, the Disciplinary Committee has suspended several players involved . The objective of the initiative, which will be presented to the Congress of the Union, is to punish professionals who commit this crime with imprisonment.

Finally, after 10 Expansion League clubs went to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to request the reinstatement of promotion and relegation—Atlante officially withdrew yesterday—the FMF commissioner reminded us that we have had an agreement since 2020 to reopen promotion in 2023, subject to requirements. "We haven't changed the rules. We are still in that process for a resolution. The Expansion League has no basis in the regulations ," he said.

According to the criteria agreed upon at that year's Owners' Assembly, if there are four certified teams and one of them wins the Champion of Champions, they can advance to the top circuit. Atlante and Leones Negros certified their documents last year.

▲ The Baja California native has spent another week leading the Giro d'Italia. Photo by AFP

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, p. a12

Mexican cyclist Isaac del Toro won't be pedaling alone heading into the final week of the Giro d'Italia. Still in his possession, the pink jersey and holding a 1:20 advantage over Britain's Simon Yates and a 1:26 advantage over his teammate Juan Ayuso, the Ensenada, Baja California native will tackle the final six stages of the race with the support of his UAE Team Emirates group.

Isaac has proven to be the strongest rider in the race so far. He's the leader on his own merits. We'll defend that, support things continuing as they are, and, obviously, we'll be consistent with the situation and what he's shown , said team principal Joxean Fernández Matxin .

While planning the ultimate strategy to tackle the most challenging aspects of the high mountains, Matxin spoke about Del Toro's growth.

“We've always wanted to give Isaac confidence and not put pressure on him. Last year, he started competing in the Vuelta a España because we believed in his potential and ability to grow in major competitions. We're sticking to the plan and the ambition. Situations like getting sick or having a problem can happen, but the important thing is to believe in his potential. He's a super-honest man who helped his teammates at Tirreno-Adriatico and then was ready to win Milan-Turin. It's a growth process, and right now, he's the best competitor in the race. He's wearing the pink jersey , and we hope to continue along these lines,” Matxin added.

The manager avoided entering into controversy over whether Ayuso will be given the green light to attempt a comeback, although he made it clear that the intention is not to put pressure on the Mexican.

We want to go out together and race as a team. We're strong, as we've seen in the mountains before. When there's a selection in the peloton and there are 50 riders left, all of us are there. That's our mentality and our goals for the final stretch as well.

Isaac has been leading the Giro for a week now and hasn't shown any major signs of weakness, even in the most demanding stages.

I think I feel really good; I'm in some of the best shape of my life. I've already put in some good performances in the mountains before. This last week will be tough for everyone, but I need to believe I'm capable of it. I want to be smart and do my best with the team to manage the race , the Mexican shared.

After a day of rest, the cyclist is ready for stage 16, a demanding high-mountain climb between Piazzola sul Brenta and San Valentino. The route will test not only the legs but also strategy, endurance, and composure.

You want to be good from a young age and improve. I've already made great strides in my career, and I have to believe in it and understand what's happening around me. You never know when you'll come back, so you have to enjoy it. But I also want to take it step by step, safely and in the right direction. I'm following my teammates, who have much more experience and are helping me manage the pressure , Isaac added.

From the Editorial Staff

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, p. a12

Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz got off to a strong start in defending their French Open titles with straight-set wins to advance to the second round.

In one hour and 24 minutes, Swiatek defeated Rebecca Sramkova 6-3, 6-3; Alcaraz needed just half an hour more to defeat Giulio Zeppieri 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. The Spaniard won all 14 of his service games, saving all three break points he faced, on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.

I played solidly, and I'm satisfied , said Alcaraz. I'm very proud of my start and hope to make it to the final .

Both Swiatek and Alcaraz sat in the stands at the Chatrier stadium the day before to witness the farewell tribute to 14-time champion Rafael Nadal.

Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner opened with a victory, much to the disappointment of the home crowd. In the night session, the Italian defeated host Arthur Rinderknech, who put up a great fight but was unable to overcome the world number one. The match ended in Sinner's favor 6-4, 6-3, 7-5.

The 23-year-old tennis player will be seeking his fourth Grand Slam title and reaching his first final in Paris.

Meanwhile, in a show of vulnerability, Naomi Osaka expressed her fear of facing fines after a devastating defeat at Roland Garros. The four-time Grand Slam champion was defeated by Paula Badosa in a three-set match, causing the Japanese player to lose her composure.

Following her 6-7, 6-1, 6-4 defeat, Osaka tearfully admitted to feeling the pressure of not living up to expectations, leading to a poignant moment where she had to briefly leave the post-match conference.

With information from Ap

▲ Photo @ArrowMcLaren

La Jornada Newspaper, Tuesday, May 27, 2025, p. a12

Mexican driver Pato O'Ward moved up to third place in the Indianapolis 500 after Marcus Ericsson received a penalty for failing post-race technical inspection. Ericsson, who finished second, and his Andretti Global teammate Kyle Kirkwood submitted unapproved changes that would have improved aerodynamics.