How the World Cup could be particularly damaging to the Liga MX leaders
In the Clausura 2026, the teams that qualify for the playoffs will lose the services of Mexican national team players.
Chivas Guadalajara could end up being one of the teams most “hurt” by the Mexican national team as the 2026 World Cup approaches. The Rebaño Sagrado is off to a perfect start in the Liga MX’s Clausura 2026 tournament, winning all six of its first six matches. Week after week, Guadalajara has shown flashes of the kind of soccer that makes it a legitimate title contender… but that may change once El Tri pulls several of its starters.
When do clubs have to release Mexico World Cup stars?
On Tuesday, the national team’s schedule for the final stretch before this year’s World Cup was officially announced. Chivas now knows its players will be required to report to Javier Aguirre’s squad on May 6. Before that, they’ll have to undergo a mandatory rest period before beginning World Cup preparations.
That means Chivas will have its full squad available only until Saturday, April 25, when it hosts Club Tijuana at Estadio Akron. After that, if the team qualifies for the playoffs, it may have to chase the league title without several key starters. As the hottest team in the league right now, many of its players are firmly on Aguirre’s radar.
The opening phase of the Clausura postseason is set to begin while those called up by the Mexico boss are still in their rest period. Chivas will not be able to use them. Nor can the club refuse to release its players this far in advance; team owner Amaury Vergara - like the rest of Liga MX’s owners - has already signed an agreement to support the national team’s World Cup plan.
Which players will Chivas lose?
Because of this, Chivas may be one of the hardest-hit clubs, heading into the postseason without several important contributors. To start with, two players seem like near locks for the 26-man World Cup roster: Raúl “Tala” Rangel and Roberto “Piojo” Alvarado. Both have been part of Aguirre’s project throughout the entire build-up to this World Cup cycle.
But they may not be the only ones. Richard Ledezma has recently played his way into the picture, emerging as arguably the most in‑form right back in Mexican soccer. Striker Armando “La Hormiga” González, the reigning scoring champion and again in the hunt for the league’s Golden Boot, is also a strong candidate to make the trip.
While those four appear to have the best chances, they may not be the only Chivas players unavailable for the playoffs. Captain Luis Romo has also been evaluated by Aguirre and could make the squad due to the tactical versatility he offers, especially when the team opts for a five‑man back line.
Others under consideration - though with slimmer odds -include Bryan “Cotorro” González, midfielder Brian Gutiérrez, and veteran forward Ángel Sepúlveda. If Guadalajara ends up contributing four or five players to the World Cup roster, head coach Gabriel Milito will face a significant challenge during the most crucial phase of the tournament. Right now, Chivas is a bona fide title contender… but El Tri could end up derailing those ambitions.
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment