Leagues Cup 2026 kicks off as football shifts focus after Spain's World Cup triumph

Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup on 19 July at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, with Ferran Torres scoring in extra time to defeat Argentina. In the aftermath, Argentine defender Facundo Medina dismissed conspiracy theories surrounding the loss, urging acceptance of the result.

The sport’s calendar now turns to the inaugural Leagues Cup 2026, a binational tournament featuring 36 clubs – 18 from Mexico’s Liga MX and 18 from the United States’ MLS. The competition begins on 4 August with the opening match between Columbus Crew and Atlas at Scotts Miracle‑Gro Field. The format eliminates draws: three points for a regular‑time win, two for a penalty‑shootout win and one for a penalty‑shootout loss. The first‑phase schedule runs through 13 August, with the three best teams earning spots in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup and the champion advancing directly to the continental octavos.

All matches are streamed on Apple TV, with additional TV coverage in Mexico via Imagen Televisión and TUDN. The tournament marks the first time Leagues Cup games are played on Mexican soil, including venues such as Estadio Banorte, Estadio Universitario and Estadio Nemesio Diez.