Who plays who in the Leagues Cup round of 16? How many Liga MX and MLS teams have qualified?

The odds were always stacked against Liga MX in the 2023 Leagues Cup, what with considerably more teams from MLS (29) taking part than those from the Mexican top flight (18), not to mention the fact that every match in the tournament is being played in the United States (or Canada, who have three teams in Major League Soccer). Oh, and one MLS team, Inter Miami, have Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest player of all time, playing for them.

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MLS vs Liga MX head-to-head record in Leagues Cup group stage

Statistics suggested that Mexican clubs fared rather well in the group stage, with Liga MX clubs winning more of the head-to-head matches between teams from the two leagues, albeit narrowly (13 to 12, with five draws, penalty shootouts not included). Teams from south of the border made up only 37.8% of all group stage participants (17 of 45) but accounted for 47.7% of group winners (seven of 15), which may well have pleased Liga MX fans.

The numbers game, however, was always going to work against clubs from south of the border. Despite the fact that almost the same percentage of participating teams from both competitions progressed to the knockout rounds (71.4% MLS compared to 70.6% Liga MX), that meant 20 of the teams in the round of 32 were based in the US or Canada, with five all-MLS ties and just one duel between Liga MX rivals.

More than twice as many MLS teams in round of 16

The round of 32 has tipped the balance slightly further in favour of MLS, although, in all honestly, at one stage it looked as if it would be even more pronounced. There are now 11 American teams left in the competition (no Canadians) and five Mexicans, with four of the Liga MX qualifiers coming from the last five ties to be played.

Round-of-32 head-to-head record

Of the 10 head-to-head matches in the round of 32, MLS teams won three after 90 minutes and another three in penalty shootouts, with Liga MX clubs also prevailing in three in normal time but only one on penalties.

What is the draw for the 2023 Leagues Cup round of 16?

The draw for the round of 16 includes four all-MLS ties (therefore four guaranteed American quarter-finalists) and one all-Liga MX matchup (one guaranteed Mexican side in the last eight). Can Mexico redress the balance by winning the three head-to-head games?

Full draw: