Introduction
At the Sports Summit Latinoamérica 2025, Spanish football executives Miguel Ángel Gil and Javier Tebas criticized the organization of Mexico’s Liga MX, just a year before Mexico co-hosts the FIFA World Cup with the United States and Canada.
Background on Key Figures
Miguel Ángel Gil, the CEO of Atlético de Madrid and Atlético de San Luis, along with Javier Tebas, the president of LaLiga, were the main critics during their presentations at the event held in Mexico City from April 23-24. The summit brought together various sports figures, including athletes, executives, and media leaders.
Javier Tebas’s Perspective
Tebas commented that if Mexico had better organization, it could be among the top five or six best leagues in the world. He acknowledged the potential of hosting the 2026 World Cup in North America, particularly in the United States, where professional football is being developed. Tebas also noted Mexico’s passionate fanbase.
Miguel Gil’s Analysis
Gil Marín delved deeper into several topics during his presentation, using European league growth data as a comparison. He emphasized the need for Liga MX to separate from the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) to improve revenue generation, invest in players, and foster national team development.
Shared Concerns Among Executives
The executives of Atlético de San Luis, Xolos, and Tigres agreed on the necessary steps for improving Mexico’s football structure: separating Liga MX from FMF, centralizing media rights sales, and eventually seeking investment to boost the league’s economy.
Key Issues Raised
The executives highlighted three contentious issues in Mexican football over the past few years: eliminating relegation, multi-ownership, and rejecting a $1.25 billion investment fund.
Impact on World Cup Hosting
The challenges facing Liga MX also affect the number of World Cup 2026 host cities in Mexico, with only Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mexico City selected, compared to 11 in the United States.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main criticism of Liga MX? Executives argue that Liga MX lacks a robust industry structure, with clubs being sponsored by large brands but without a strong revenue-generating framework.
- Why is better organization crucial for Mexico? Improved organization could elevate Liga MX to be among the top six best leagues globally, capitalizing on the 2026 World Cup co-hosting opportunity.
- What steps do executives propose for Liga MX improvement? Separating Liga MX from FMF, centralizing media rights sales, and seeking investment to enhance the league’s economy.
- What are the contentious issues in Mexican football? Eliminating relegation, multi-ownership, and rejecting a significant investment fund.
- How does Liga MX’s situation affect World Cup hosting? The challenges faced by Liga MX have resulted in Mexico having fewer host cities for the 2026 World Cup compared to the United States.
