With the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup draw arising on December ninth, we take a look in any respect six Liga MX groups that shall be collaborating within the competitors. The checklist of groups contains each Mexico Metropolis workforce (America, Cruz Azul, Pumas) and each Monterrey workforce (Rayados, Tigres) in addition to the present Liga MX champions, Toluca. Mexico could have the groups that hope to proceed the three straight 12 months streak of a Mexican workforce successful the CONCACAF title.
Toluca
The Liga MX Champions Toluca are the one Liga MX workforce that can begin taking part in from the Spherical of 16 as a substitute of the First spherical. Toluca is the favourite workforce to make a dent as they not solely gained the Liga MX champions however certified at first place. Nonetheless will probably be a tricky match for them as not like different groups, they’ve a historical past of not doing properly on this match in addition to most Worldwide tournaments. Their final participation in 2024, notoriously ended once they have been eradicated after dropping at residence towards Herediano by a 3-2 rating (they’d gained 2-1 in Costa Rica however misplaced out on away targets). Toluca might want to do properly to not solely stay as much as their expectation however to enhance their worldwide status.
Cruz Azul
The present CONCACAF champions Cup champions will hope to make it again to again on this match. Cruz Azul will hopefully count on to come back into the match with a constructive efficiency from the Worldwide Cups they are going to be taking part in in December (Derbi de las Americas towards the Brazilian workforce that wins Libertadores and the Challenger Cup in the event that they win that competitors). Cruz Azul has proven good performances in CONCACAF however could have to take action underneath difficult circumstances with the very lively 2026.
Membership America
If one workforce has the strain of successful the match is Membership America and particularly Coach Andre Jardine. Jardine grew to become the primary coach and America the primary workforce to 3 peat in Liga MX through the quick season. But that didn’t translate to continental success as America fell to eventual champions Pachuca and Cruz Azul underneath Jardine. The coach might want to focus as a result of CONCACAF has been the Achilles heel to their current success. But their current stage and the truth that they misplaced the final Liga MX closing to Toluca, won’t have them as favored as they have been within the final two editions.
Monterrey
The CONCACAF powerhouse, Monterrey, returns to the match after an ideal efficiency within the Membership World Cup. They’ll hope to repeat their efficiency as they search for their sixth CONCACAF match. With a stable squad on paper and with an skilled coach, they may very well be a stable candidate for the win however must keep themselves as there are rumors that a few gamers may very well be taking part in their closing season with the membership.
Tigres
One other stable squad is Tigres, however they may be much less of a candidate than the opposite groups. Whereas Tigres has some stable gamers, additionally they have much less of a squad, particularly on the bench, for a two match season. With the workforce going all in for the league, it won’t be sufficient for a superb CONCACAF run. In the event that they fail to win the the 2025 Apertura title (which appears to be like very possible after the outcomes of their Quarterfinal 1st leg match towards Tijuana) they may have much more strain to get a home consequence and never so a CONCACAF one.
UNAM Pumas
If there may be an unpleasant duckling within the match for Liga MX, it’s Pumas. Pumas not solely had a really disappointing 2025 Apertura season, the place they ended tenth and eradicated within the first Play In match, however they’re critically struggling squad sensible. Pumas’ had various accidents the place they actually ended with out a single heart ahead. In addition they have struggled badly within the youth growth, which meant that their bench was horrible. Pumas doesn’t have a squad to problem title sensible in Liga MX, much less so in CONCACAF. They’re by far the weakest aspect type Mexico and simply making it to the Spherical of 16 or Quarterfinals, can be big victory for this struggling aspect.
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Liga MX is the “king” of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Whereas it’s true that their success within the Nationwide workforce has gone down, membership sensible it’s the other. Mexico has gained 19 of the final 20 CONCACAF match. Nonetheless, it has been at occasions harder, with MLS squads being a harder opponent. Extra so, due to the Leagues Cup match, they may have 8 groups within the match. Mexico nonetheless needs to be favored to have one other membership win the title however will probably be robust to see which one in all them would be the most important candidate to win. On December ninth, after the draw, it needs to be clearer.