The annual Leagues Cup, a tournament pitting Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs against their counterparts from Mexico's Liga MX, has begun. The competition features 36 teams – 18 from MLS and all 18 from Liga MX – vying for the championship and qualification for the 2027 CONCACAF Champions Cup.
The tournament kicked off on Wednesday with an opening slate of games. Seattle Sounders faced Toluca in one of the initial matches.
Tournament Format and Schedule
The Leagues Cup is divided into two phases. The first phase, running from August 4 to August 13, consists of 54 round-robin matchups between MLS and Liga MX teams. Points are awarded as follows: three points for a regulation win, two points for a win via penalty shootout after a tie, and one point for a loss via penalty shootout. The top four teams from each league's specific standings advance to the knockout rounds. The knockout stage begins on August 25 with quarterfinals, culminating in the final on September 6. Every match is played to ensure a winner, with no ties allowed.
Star Power on Display
Several high-profile players are participating. Lionel Messi, who made his Inter Miami debut in this tournament in 2023 and led the team to the inaugural title, is expected to play for his club throughout the competition. He is joined by fellow World Cup winner Rodrigo De Paul and Brazilian midfielder Casemiro. Inter Miami's schedule includes matches against Atlético San Luis, Monterrey, and León.
Other notable players include U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) members such as defender Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), goalkeeper Matt Freese (NYCFC), and midfielder Alejandro Zendejas (Club América). Former USMNT players like goalkeeper Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), midfielder Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), and defender Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati) are also participating. Additionally, Real Salt Lake's Diego Luna and Zavier Gozo, who narrowly missed the World Cup roster, will compete.
International stars also highlight the tournament. LAFC's Son Heung-min, a veteran of South Korea's World Cup squads, will compete. Thomas Mueller, a 2014 World Cup winner with Germany, plays for Vancouver Whitecaps, while Antoine Griezmann, a 2018 World Cup champion with France, is a new signing for Orlando City. Robert Lewandowski, who represented Poland, will play for the Chicago Fire.
Mexico's Liga MX will feature talent from its national team, including 17-year-old Gilberto Mora of Tijuana. Four players from Chivas – Luis Romo, Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutierrez, and Armando Gonzalez – were part of Mexico's recent World Cup squad.
What's At Stake
The ultimate prize, beyond the Leagues Cup trophy, is qualification for the 2027 CONCACAF Champions Cup. The winner of the Leagues Cup earns a spot in the Round of 16 of that tournament, which serves as a pathway to the FIFA Club World Cup.
Historical Context and Predictions
Previous editions of the Leagues Cup saw Liga MX teams win the first two tournaments (Cruz Azul in 2019, León in 2021). However, MLS teams have dominated recent years, with Inter Miami winning in 2023, Columbus Crew in 2024, and the Seattle Sounders in 2025. No Liga MX team has reached the final since 2021. Predictions suggest that top Liga MX clubs like Club América, Pumas UNAM, Cruz Azul, and Toluca could challenge for the title this year. On the MLS side, Inter Miami, led by Messi, along with current MLS leaders Nashville, Vancouver, and LAFC, are considered strong contenders.