Leagues Cup set to stage games in Mexico for inaugural occasion

Lionel Messis Inter Miami is scheduled to take on Mexican teams Atletico San Luis, Monterrey and Leon during the initial stage of the 2026 Leagues Cup, marking the tournaments debut with fixtures in Mexico.

The fourth instalment of this competition, pitting clubs from Major League Soccer against those from Liga MX, is slated for August 4 to September 6, starting just under three weeks following the conclusion of the World Cup jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

As 2023 champions, Inter Miami joins 17 other MLS teams in facing 18 Mexican sides, all vying to claim the trophy on home soil for the very first time.

The Columbus Crew claimed victory in 2024, while in the previous year, the Seattle Sounders overcame Inter Miami in the decisive match.

The 36 teams will split into two groups, one drawn from MLS and the other from Mexico, with the leading eight progressing to the quarterfinals, featuring inter league encounters in every section.

Inter Miami will contest their opening phase games at their newly constructed venue, Nu Stadium, due to open in April.

Messis squad will commence on August 5 versus Atletico de San Luis, followed by a clash with Monterrey on the 8th, and then Club Leon on the 12th.

Among the 54 first phase encounters, four are earmarked for Mexico. Toluca will welcome the Seattle Sounders and FC Dallas on August 5 and 12 respectively. Tigres will entertain the Vancouver Whitecaps, guided by German talent Thomas Muller, on the 11th, and America will receive San Diego FC at the renowned Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on a date still to be confirmed.

The event will secure three spots in the 2027 CONCACAF Champions Cup, the winner advancing straight to the last sixteen of that tournament.