Emilio Azcárraga and Jesús Martínez met with Alejandro Domínguez, the president of Conmebol.
The Libertadores Cup stands as a premier club competition, and Mexico was a steadfast force for nearly twenty years until the 2017 calendar adjustment by Conmebol, which led Liga MX clubs to sit out. Yet that reality appears to be shifting.
Indeed, Alejandro Domínguez extended an invitation to the clubs Lion and Pachuca in early April 2022 to participate again in the tournament. The invitation was also shared on the Fiera’s Twitter account, fueling intense speculation about a possible return of Mexican teams to South American competitions.
“I reiterate my invitation for you to come back and to at least take part and compete in the Copa Libertadores. Just as you did in the South American Cup, you can place a trophy in the Copa Libertadores,” Domínguez conveyed in a message directed at Jesús Martínez, president of the Pachuca Group.
Here at GOAL, readers will find all the latest information and rumors about a potential comeback to the tournament:
CONCACAF SUPPORT IS NEEDED
Getty
According to Mikel Arriola in an exclusive GOAL interview, the possible return to the Libertadores does not hinge on Liga MX or Conmebol alone. The decision rests with Concacaf, which would need to grant permission for participation in these events.
This situation has roots in a strategic shift that strengthened ties with Major League Soccer, sparking initiatives such as the Leagues Cup, the MLS All-Star Game, and the Campeones Cup. Beginning in 2023, 47 teams joined the Leagues Cup as an officially sanctioned Concacaf competition.
MEXICO EAGER TO RETURN
Etzel Espinosa / Imago7
Even with closer ties to MLS, Arriola indicated that improved relations with Concacaf could keep doors open for a gradual reintroduction to South American tournaments.
“As the partnership with Concacaf grows, every effort to play against confederations like Conmebol gains momentum. If there is an official Mexico–United States competition under Concacaf, the chances rise. Without that, the path to facing top teams remains distant.”
Recently, ESPN reporter David Faitelson noted that the discussed meeting between Emilio Azcárraga and Jesús Martínez with Conmebol president Alejandro Domínguez again highlighted the topic of Mexican teams rejoining in the near term. As of now, Domínguez reportedly signaled openness to a gradual reintegration, contingent on Concacaf’s clearance.
Note: This summary reflects ongoing reporting and speculation, with final decisions still pending official approvals.