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The Copa Libertadores could see the return of Liga MX and Major League Soccer clubs. Emphasis on could.
Recent days on social media have seen the uproar of the rumor that clubs from MLS and Liga MX could be invited back to participate in South America’s most-prestigious club tournament, Copa Libertadores.
Rumor: MLS and Liga MX clubs could return to Copa Libertadores in 2027
According to reports, CONMEBOL is planning a format change (with Major League Soccer and Liga MX clubs invited to the renewed continental competition) that would mimic that of the new UEFA Champions League — scraping the four-team group stage and increasing the number of teams from 32 to 36.
This format change would see the return of CONCACAF clubs to the Copa Libertadores for the first time in over 10 years. Liga MX club, Tigres UANL, reached the final in 2016 and was one of the last Liga MX clubs to play in the tournament.
The new format would include three teams from MLS and three from Liga MX, with the qualification criteria still unknown.
The change wouldn’t be made until 2027, with Libertadores television broadcast rights and commercial agreements (which are ending in 2026) being the main factor in the almost three-year waiting period, according to reports.
CONMEBOLl's exploration of including MLS teams in the Copa Libertadores for the first time in history is also said to be influenced by Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, which have taken MLS by storm both on and off the pitch since the Argentine arrived to the club in 2023. Messi, who has practically won every trophy he's ever competed for, has never played in the Copa Libertadores, which could be a huge factor in trying to invite MLS clubs to participate before the 37-year-old's retirement.
A return to the South American tournament from CONCACAF clubs, however, which has been heavily-requested by Mexican and American fans ‘envious’ of the increasing level and quality of the tournament, is practically impossible.
Aside from the fact that MLS and Liga MX has prioritized ‘in-house’ head-to-head competitions over a return to Copa Libertadores (such as the Leagues Cup, Campeones Cup and All-Star Game), FIFA maintains opposed on participation between clubs from different federations in competitions other than the Club World Cup or Intercontinental Cup.
It’s also important to mention that CONCACAF will continue sending the best teams from each country and league to the CONCACAF Champions Cup, with the hope of seeing clubs such as this season’s Club América or the record-breaking Inter Miami, essentially being out of the picture.
There’s still years ahead to the rumor and basically anything is possible with the recent changes in the soccer world, but we’d suggest MLS and Liga MX fans take all Copa Libertadores-CONCACAF-invitees news with a grain of salt. Or perhaps we're underestimating the power of Messi.
