While most of Latin America pauses domestic football to honor the international calendar, Mexico is doing things differently. Liga MX has confirmed that Matchday 10 of the Apertura 2026 will go ahead during the current FIFA window, a decision that breaks with tradition and has raised eyebrows across the region.
The move is not a whim. League officials point to a crowded schedule caused by the extended Leagues Cup, which saw several Mexican clubs advance deep into the knockout rounds. With the postseason looming, postponing domestic fixtures would have created a logjam that could derail the entire tournament.
Why Liga MX chose to play on
Clubs like Club América, Toluca, Rayados de Monterrey, and León all had lengthy runs in the Leagues Cup, pushing their match counts well beyond the original plan. Rather than risk a backlog that would force midweek doubleheaders or extend the season into December, the Mexican Football Federation decided to keep the domestic calendar moving.
It's a pragmatic call, but one that comes with consequences. Several teams will take the pitch without their biggest stars, as players called up by Mexico and South American federations are unavailable for club duty.
Among the notable absences are Cruz Azul's goalkeeper Kevin Mier, Club América winger Óscar Perea, Toluca midfielder Santiago Simón, and Tigres forward Rodrigo Aguirre. Each has been summoned by their respective national teams, leaving their clubs to reshuffle lineups at a critical point in the season.
For coaches, this is a test of squad depth. The teams that have built strong rosters beyond their starting eleven may find an advantage, while others could struggle to maintain momentum without their key contributors.
El Tri's preparations continue
Meanwhile, the Mexican national team is using this window to fine-tune its plans under manager Rafael Márquez. El Tri will face Colombia on September 26 and Peru on September 29, matches that are part of a broader strategy to build cohesion and evaluate tactical options ahead of future competitions.
Márquez has already scheduled additional friendlies against the United States and Chile in October, signaling a focus on long-term development rather than short-term results. The coaching staff is keen to test new combinations and give younger players a chance to prove themselves on the international stage.
For fans, the overlapping schedules mean a weekend of football that spans both club and country. While some purists might prefer a full stop, the reality is that modern football calendars are increasingly crowded, and leagues must adapt.
This isn't the first time Liga MX has made unconventional scheduling choices, and it likely won't be the last. As the Leagues Cup continues to grow in importance, Mexican clubs will keep balancing domestic ambitions with continental commitments.
For now, the focus shifts to the pitch. Matchday 10 promises drama, even without the usual stars, and the teams that cope best with the absences may well define their seasons in these unusual circumstances.
