Since the Repechage rematch era began, one particular trend has stood out: only one team has consistently failed to reach the preliminary rounds of the Liga MX Liguilla for the title. Critics have pointed to the way quotas are allocated within the Mexican football festival, especially after the league system changes. In the current format, 18 teams participate in the season. Four secure a direct path to the Liguilla, eight face a second chance through the Repechage, and six confront an elimination scenario. This distribution keeps a minority of clubs out of the mix, even as the season unfolds.
For a deeper look into how the Liga MX Repechage operates, a detailed examination is available from Goal and other sources that track the evolution of qualification rules and attempts to balance competition across the league. [Goal]
Historically, prior to the 2011-2012 season and up to the 2019-2020 season, the top eight teams in the overall standings earned qualification to the postseason. That structure created intense competition during the regular phase, as teams jockeyed for one of the coveted invites to the Liguilla, all with the goal of lifting the league title. This format fostered a strong incentive to perform consistently across the season and to position the club for a favorable playoff run.
Interest in the Rematch system remains high among fans who follow Liga MX, because the Repechage adds another layer of drama to the postseason race. This is the element GOAL emphasizes when laying out which clubs have historically avoided the rematch phase and which have moved through every stage with varying degrees of difficulty. [Goal]
GOAL also highlights a recurring question for supporters: which teams have never slipped into the Rematch bracket despite long involvement in the league? The answers illuminate patterns in club performance, management decisions, and the evolving structure of Mexican football’s top competition.
WHICH TEAM HAS NEVER PLAYED THE REPECHAGE?
Tijuana Xolos stands out in this narrative as the club that never took part in the rematch during its Apertura 2023 cycle. The team, often referred to as a hardy canine squad, has not secured a direct ticket or a spot in the Repechage to access the Liguilla since its return to the Liga MX competition structure. This absence from the rematch highlights the club’s ongoing struggle to clinch a position that would guarantee a postseason bid under the current format. The Xolos have faced several seasons without reaching the necessary threshold to force a second-chance battle for a place in the title chase.
These developments are part of a broader pattern in the league where some teams routinely reach the postseason while others, despite consistent effort, find the path blocked by the evolving rules and the depth of competition. The discussion reflects broader debates about competitive balance, qualification criteria, and the strategic choices clubs must make each year to maximize their chances in a crowded field.
Source: Goal