In 2016, Mexican clubs made appearances again, with Tigres, Puebla, and Pumas among the guests.
For the sixth year in a row, Mexican teams did not participate in the Copa Libertadores. It stretched nearly two decades of invitations to the prestigious CONMEBOL tournament, interrupted by differing calendar rules across confederations, and highlighting that the Mexican league and its clubs do not always align with South American scheduling.
This has underscored a decline in competitive intensity for Aztec teams, especially when facing the higher tempo and tactical depth found in South American campaigns. The shift has included a growing number of cross-border engagements and collaborations with Major League Soccer (MLS) to preserve international competitiveness.
Leaders from both sides have repeatedly stated an intent to reach an agreement that would reintegrate Mexican football into Libertadores or the Copa Sudamericana. Yet, concrete plans have not materialized, and national teams with their clubs have largely pursued other high-level opportunities rather than returning to these long-standing tournaments.
The 2023 edition exemplified the situation: Puebla began in the first phase, Toluca reached the Round of 16, and Toluca and Pumas had progressed to the quarter-finals in earlier years, with 2016 serving as a recent benchmark for participation.
CALENDAR
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The MLS and the CONCACAF Champions League maintain overlapping calendars, with both leagues running for much of the year. The CONCACAF Champions League typically spans February through May, while the CONMEBOL Libertadores extends from February to November. This arrangement reduces Mexican teams’ availability for South American competition, making prioritization of Liga MX and regional tournaments a practical necessity.
DISTRIBUTION OF QUOTAS
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Another point of contention concerns which clubs would qualify for Libertadores. The format under CONMEBOL is to include the champions and runners-up from the prior season, and to consider the top points earners from Liga MX across its split-season tournaments, provided those teams have not already claimed a final appearance. As changes to the competition format were discussed, some candidates to reach Libertadores were excluded, potentially diminishing the prestige of the Liga MX season among supporters.
Meanwhile, while Copa MX no longer runs, several amendments have reshaped the qualification process. If one or more leading contenders were to miss Libertadores, the overall strength and visibility of Liga MX’s top tier could suffer in the eyes of fans and sponsors alike.
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Choosing to distance from Libertadores discussions, Mexican football authorities moved to strengthen ties with MLS. This collaboration culminated in the creation of the Leagues Cup, a tournament officially sanctioned by CONCACAF that pits Liga MX clubs against MLS teams. It represents a strategic step that Mexican football leaders have endorsed for years, aiming to sustain high-level competition and cross-border exposure.
Source: Goal