A new chapter in North American soccer will open in 2023 with the participation of all clubs from the top two leagues, MLS and LIGA MX, in a reinvented League Cup: an annual tournament spanning one month.
The two championships will respect a one-month summer truce during their season in order to organize the League Cup.
FIFA Vice-President and Concacaf President Victor Montagliani joined MLS Commissioner Don Garber and LIGA MX President Mikel Arriola for the historic announcement made on Tuesday at a press conference in New York.
Montagliani, Garber and Arriola have announced that the new League Cup will be an official competition leading up to the Concacaf Champions League, with the winner of the tournament directly advancing to the knockout stages of the Champions League. In addition, the clubs that finish second and third in the League Cup will qualify for the Champions League first round.
Note that the 2021 League Cup final, between the Seattle Sounders and Club León, will be broadcast Wednesday evening on TVA Sports and TVA Sports direct from 10 p.m. live from Las Vegas.
New historic step
A new step in the growing partnership between the two leagues aiming to increase the particular rivalry between the MLS and the LIGA MX, the 2023 League Cup will be historic as it will be the first major soccer tournament in which all the teams of the League will participate. elite of two major championships.
“The new League Cup, in which all MLS and LIGA MX clubs will participate in the form of an annual tournament spanning one month, will lay a new foundation for the possibilities between our two leagues and further expose our players and our clubs to a global audience, said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. Since launching three and a half years ago, our partnership with LIGA MX has grown rapidly and the competition has brought out the best in us.
“On our way to the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, now is the perfect time to design a tournament that will raise the profile of Concacaf and show the incredible passion our region has for it. soccer played at the highest level. ”
“This is an example of harmonization of objectives and coordination between the confederation, MLS and LIGA MX, reacted Arriola. Today marks a before and after for all of North America, Central America and the Caribbean, all of which will benefit greatly from this agreement. ”
Further details about the reimagined League Cup will continue to be unveiled over the coming months.
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