MLS, Liga MX unveil World Cup-style format for Leagues Cup in 2023

New York, Oct 6, 2022 (AFP) - Forty-seven teams from Major League Soccer and Liga-MX will take part in a month-long World Cup-style tournament in 2023, the two leagues announced on Thursday.

A statement from MLS and Liga-MX said the Leagues Cup will take place in the midst of the domestic season, with the top three finishers earning a place in the CONCACAF Champions League.

The 77-game tournament will kick off on July 21 with the final taking place on August 19, with games being staged across the United States and Canada.

The winner of the 2022 MLS Cup will be given a bye directly into the round of 32 knockout stage, while the Mexican club with the most combined points from the Clausura and Apertura championships will also bypass the group stage.

The remaining 45 clubs will be divided into 15 groups of three teams. The top two finishers in each group will fill the remaining 30 slots in the knockout round.

The Leagues Cup was first held in 2019 and featured four teams each from MLS and Liga-MX in an eight-team single elimination tournament, with a final played on neutral territory at Las Vegas.

The tournament was cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic but returned in 2021, with Mexico's Leon defeating the Seattle Sounders 3-2 in the final in Nevada. The tournament was not held in 2022.