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Could Liga MX, MLS, and CPL merge?

By Garett Kerber

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JULY 05: Enrique Bonilla, Chief executive of the Liga MX talks to the media during the presentation of the Liga MX Torneo Apertura 2016 Official Ball at Universidad Motolinia del Pedregal on July 05, 2016 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/LatinContent/Getty Images)
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JULY 05: Enrique Bonilla, Chief executive of the Liga MX talks to the media during the presentation of the Liga MX Torneo Apertura 2016 Official Ball at Universidad Motolinia del Pedregal on July 05, 2016 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/LatinContent/Getty Images) /
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Comments from Liga MX President, Enrique Bonilla, make for interesting discussion about a combined North American league.

When Mexico, the United States, and Canada made a joint World Cup 2026 bid, it was an interesting idea. Countries sharing a World Cup hadn’t happened since 2002, when Japan and South Korea shared the prestigious event. For three countries the size of Mexico, the US, and Canada to join forces, however could provide an avenue for even more major changes. Liga MX might have a significant role.

Wednesday, Liga MX president Enrique Bonilla said that the main legacy of the 2026 World Cup could be a combined North American soccer league, combining Liga MX, Major League Soccer, and the new Canadian Premier League. There is nothing concrete and it may even be the first anyone official has talked about it, for all we know, but Bonilla’s focus is on competing with Europe and the rest of the world.

MLS and Liga MX have already partnered a bit by participating in the Campeones Cup earlier this year, with Tigres being Toronto FC. There have been discussions about the possibility of a Liga MX v MLS All-Star match. There is a clear mutual admiration between the leagues and a lot the two can learn from each other. In many ways, a merger could make some sense.

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I won’t rehash old thoughts. You can do that on your own. However, it is interesting to note that discussion is trending in this direction. UEFA clubs have often had discussions about a European Super League, so this isn’t just a gimmicky idea for this side of the Atlantic. In fact, combining leagues over here makes more sense than whatever UEFA has discussed to this point.

Some kind of continental league could allow MLS to take advantage of Liga MX’s popularity, while providing Liga MX with more financial stability and consistency, perhaps. There are a million ways to speculate. All we know is a high-ranking official of the biggest league in North America is rolling the idea around in his head and presumably in meetings with the other leagues. Maybe nothing comes of it, but it’s kind of fun to think about, anyway!

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