As things stand: This is who’d be at risk of Liga MX relegation
Promotion and relegation may return to Mexican soccer in 2026 - and these teams are the ones that would be in trouble right now.
In the season after the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup - hosted jointly by Mexico, the United States, and Canada - the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) is set to reinstate promotion and relegation in Liga MX. In recent seasons, relegation was determined by a coefficient system based on performance across several short tournaments. Here, we take a closer look at the clubs currently at risk of dropping down a division based on that metric.
Which clubs have the lowest coefficients?
Sitting 14th in the coefficient table is Querétaro, whose home ground is Estadio La Corregidora. The Gallos Blancos have accumulated 79 points over five short tournaments. Atlas follows in 15th place with 76 points. Mazatlán FC has just six points to its name due to unique circumstances. Santos Laguna ranks 17th with 61 points, while Puebla sits at the bottom with 57.
At the other end of the spectrum, Club América leads the coefficient standings with an impressive 153 points, followed by Tigres with 141.
Recent relegation history
The last five clubs to be relegated from Mexico’s top flight to the second tier were Estudiantes Tecos, Atlante, Universidad de Guadalajara, Dorados de Sinaloa, and Chiapas. As the FMF prepares to bring back promotion and relegation, poor results in upcoming short tournaments will carry real consequences. The pressure will be on, and the margin for error will shrink - raising the competitive stakes for clubs aiming to reach or remain at the highest level.
Financial penalties in place of relegation
In recent seasons, clubs like FC Juárez, Puebla, and Mazatlán have paid hefty fines for their poor Liga MX performances, instead of relegation. Last year alone, Atlas was fined 33 million pesos, Puebla 47 million, and Mazatlán - nicknamed “Los Cañoneros” - were hit with a staggering 80 million peso penalty.
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