Introduction to the Clausura 2026 Tournament
The Mexican soccer league, Liga MX, launched the Clausura 2026 tournament over the weekend. Initially, nine games were played across Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. However, the upcoming days will see an unusually high volume of matches due to scheduling adjustments for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
Condensed Schedule and Reasons Behind It
An atypical schedule awaits, with 27 games taking place between January 9 and 18. These correspond to Jornadas 1, 2, and 3, featuring double rounds this week, resulting in nine points up for grabs—a common occurrence after one-third of the tournament.
Monterrey’s head coach, Domenec Torrent, acknowledged the packed schedule post-Jornada 1: “All teams started with three games in seven days. This is how it has been arranged, and we won’t complain.”
The Mexican national team’s friendlies against Panama (January 22) and Bolivia (January 25) prompted the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol (FMF) to adjust the calendar. This ensures players called up by coach Javier Aguirre have ample preparation time.
As a result, the last day of action will be January 18, with Jornada 4 commencing on January 30.
Early Results and Notable Performances
Teams that secured victories in the opening round include Necaxa, Chivas, Bravos, León, Toluca, and Atlas. Notably, Toluca defeated Monterrey 0-1, thanks to a goal from Brazilian striker Helinho.
Toluca, the reigning bicampion of Liga MX, recently claimed their latest title on December 14. To accommodate the shortened break, coach Antonio Mohamed opted to field a team of substitutes against Rayados.
Despite this, Toluca managed to secure three points at BBVA Stadium. The achievement included a saved penalty by Hugo González against Sergio Canales.
“We kicked off with three points, and now at home, the players who stayed will have the chance to play against Santos, along with some who previously participated. The plan is to gradually integrate everyone,” said coach Antonio Mohamed, aka ‘Turco’.
Key players like Alexis Vega, Paulinho, Marcel Ruiz, Jesús Gallardo, Antonio Briseño, and new signing Sebastián Córdova did not travel to Monterrey for Jornada 1.
Another standout win was Chivas’ 2-0 victory over Pachuca, with goals from Armando ‘Hormiga’ González and Daniel Aguirre.
Chivas showcased new recruits Brian Gutiérrez and Ángel Sepúlveda, while Pachuca saw Salomón Rondón back in action.
Disappointing Starts for Some Teams
America, Cruz Azul, and Pumas all failed to secure wins in their opening matches of Clausura 2026.
America drew 0-0 against Xolos in Tijuana, despite having the honor of premiering the new semi-automated out-of-bounds system (SAOT) implemented by Liga MX in collaboration with Genius Sports, which also works with the English Premier League.
Pumas couldn’t secure a win against Querétaro either, ending in a 1-1 draw. The home crowd at CU booed their team’s performance.
“Ultimately, we share the frustration and understand the fans’ stance. There’s little patience right now, and it’s normal. I’m not satisfied, and we’re all in the same boat,” Pumas coach Efraín Juárez commented.
Cruz Azul faced a more challenging situation, losing 2-1 to León. New recruit Agustín Palavecino made his debut for Cruz Azul but couldn’t overcome León’s Ismael Díaz and Bryan Colula goals.
Cruz Azul had a goal disallowed following a SAOT review in the final moments, which would have resulted in a 2-2 draw.
Jornada 2 of Clausura 2026 will take place from January 13 to 14. Highlights include Cruz Azul’s home debut in Puebla against Atlas, as well as Chivas’ trip to Bravos and Pumas’ visit to Tigres. America and Toluca will host Atlético de San Luis and Santos, respectively.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Why is Liga MX playing so many games in a short period?
A: The schedule has been condensed to accommodate the Mexican national team’s friendlies against Panama and Bolivia, ensuring players called up by coach Javier Aguirre have adequate preparation time.
- Q: Which teams won their opening matches?
A: Necaxa, Chivas, Bravos, León, Toluca, and Atlas all secured victories in Jornada 1.
- Q: What notable performances were there in the opening round?
A: Toluca defeated Monterrey 0-1, and Chivas won 2-0 against Pachuca.
- Q: Which teams struggled in their opening matches?
A: America, Cruz Azul, and Pumas all failed to secure wins in their first games.
