Mexican domestic football is about to fitness some key changes heading into the 2026 Liga MX Clausura as the league manages the work load of its players in the build up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Key decisions have been made to reshape the league's structure, aiming to make it more competitive with each and every match.
These are the most noticeable changes you can expect heading into the new calendar year:
No Play-In Competition
The Play-In competition has been used for the last few years within Mexican football, organised to create wider opportunities for teams finishing 9th and 10th to have one last opportunity of qualifying for the post-season.
However, this has come with its own concerns, forcing teams to play extra matches with no certainty of qualifying, leaving them fatigued when reaching the final eight. As a result, the decision was made to scrap the competition. This means that the teams which finish in the top eight of the Liga MX Clausura will automatically qualify for the Liguilla, with no need to fight for a position in the Play-In.
Top 8 Qualify
The removal of the Play-In means that Liguilla action will commence directly after the end of the regular season. Previously, the top six teams would sit on the side, waiting, for the postseason to start, whilst the Play-In took place, but now, the playoff action will get underway directly after the regular season.
No World Cup representatives in the Playoffs
It has been confirmed that any player who has been called up for their national team for next summer's FIFA World Cup will take no part in the Liguilla, as the Liga MX Clausura final will take place on Sunday 24th May 2026, only 18 days prior to the start of the World Cup.
New Foreigner Rules
The FMF has announced that teams will be able to field as many as nine foreigners to play for their team. Right now, teams are allowed to register a maximum of nine foreign players, but only field seven at a time; which is set to change ahead of 2026.
This rule is set to impact every team in the league, with the exception of Chivas, who famously only field those of Mexican citizenship, but it may force Los Rojiblancos to utilise their academy in the latter stages of the campaign, in the case that many of their players join El Tri at the World Cup.
What do you make of the new rules coming into the Liga MX Clausura 2026? Let us know!