América, the only one of the Liga MX’s Big Four aiming for the Club World Cup

América aspire to be one of Mexico’s representatives at next summer’s Club World Cup - a new expanded format of the tournament which will be staged in the United States. Liga MX clubs Monterrey and León have already confirmed that they will both be taking part as winners of the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2021 and 2023 respectively.

Pumas disappointment

Pumas had their opportunity a couple of years ago. The Universitarios reached the final of the North American tournament where they were pitted against MLS franchise, the Seattle Sounders. But in an unexpected outcome of events, and after drawing the first leg 2-2, the North Americans won the return 3-0 to lift the cup, breaking a 16-year streak of victories for Mexican clubs in the competition in the process.

Another of the Liga MX’s so-called ‘Big Four’, Cruz Azul meanwhile were eliminated by future champion Rayados in the 2021 semi-finals, and a year later Pumas acted as executioner in the same circumstances, effectively ending their aspirations as they no longer qualified for the later editions. This year was Chivas’ opportunity, and although they vastly improved in the second leg, their eternal rival has left them out.

The expanded edition of the Club World Cup will see the number of participating teams increase from six (seven including the hosts) to 32, featuring all of the winners of the four previous continental club tournaments (Champions League, Copa Libertadores) with additional slots going to teams based on their club ranking over the previous four-year period.

The teams who have already been confirmed for the 2025 edition of the tournament include European champions Real Madrid and Manchester City, Copa Libertadores winners Fluminense, Flamengo and Palmeiras along with top-ranked UEFA clubs PSG, Bayern Munich, Porto, Juventus and Inter Milan among others. Next year’s Club World Cup will be held from 15 June to 13 July 2025.