Liga MX eliminates Play-In and makes room for Mexico national team preparations ahead of 2026 World Cup

The Mexican football owners’ assembly convened this week to address sweeping changes aimed at raising the level of competition in Liga MX and strengthening the Mexican national team in the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Liga MX president Mikel Arriola announced a series of reforms approved during the meeting, with the most significant being the elimination of the Play-In format starting with the Clausura 2026 tournament. That season’s Liguilla (playoffs) will also be played without national team players, as part of a broader commitment to give head coach Javier Aguirre full support for World Cup preparations.

“To maximize the home-field advantage and strengthen the national team, the Clausura 2026 playoffs will be played without the selected players. They will join the national team six weeks prior to the start of the World Cup,” Arriola explained. “This would give us 50 percent more preparation matches than other countries, which must also be against top-level opponents.”

This decision brings back the traditional playoff format, with only the top eight teams from the regular season advancing to the Liguilla, ending any postseason chances for clubs finishing ninth and 10th in the table.

Key Elements of Aguirre's Plan for El Tri:

-Clubs will release national team players six and a half weeks before the 2026 World Cup

-No national team players or Play-In format in Clausura 2026 Liguilla

-Two international friendlies to be held in January 2026

-Two training camps planned: one in 2025, another in 2026

In addition to national team-related measures, the league confirmed several other changes. Among them:

-Liga MX will upgrade its offside detection technology to improve VAR performance

-A new Leagues Cup calendar was approved: the tournament will now be played midweek, allowing Liga MX to continue its domestic schedule without interruption

-Fewer double-match weeks in Liga MX

-Reforms in foreign player signings

-Increased minimum minutes for youth players under the Liga MX development rule

Regarding a recent legal complaint filed with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) by several Liga de Expansión teams seeking to reinstate promotion and relegation, Arriola maintained that promotion remains possible—but only under strict criteria.

“We haven’t changed the 2020 agreement. Ascenso was scheduled to return in 2023, contingent on certification. That process is still ongoing,” said Arriola.

Mexico began training camp at the High Performance Center (CAR) on Monday, with the full group expected to be assembled by June 2. The final 26-man squad for the 2025 Gold Cup will be announced on June 4, with El Tri set to debut in the Gold Cup on June 14 vs. the Dominican Republic.