Mexico's national team has warned Liga MX players that failure to attend the pre-World Cup training camp will result in exclusion from the World Cup squad. The camp starts on May 6, 2026, in Mexico City.
Key points
Mexico issues ultimatum to Liga MX players for World Cup camp
Players must report to training camp or risk missing World Cup
Camp starts on May 6, 2026, in Mexico City
Mexico will prepare for matches against Ghana, Australia, and Serbia
Club owners agreed to release players after Liga MX regular season
Mexico national teamGhanaAustraliaSerbia
Mexico has issued an ultimatum to Liga MX-based players named to its pre-World Cup training camp: Show up or forget about going to the World Cup.
"As was published Tuesday April 28, 2026, the Mexico national team camp for three preparation matches against Ghana, Australia, Serbia and the World Cup will begin this Wednesday, May 6 at 20:00 (8 p.m.) with the 20 players from Liga MX selected by manager Javier Aguirre," a Mexico national team statement read on Wednesday, May 6.
"All players must report to the Centro de Alto Rendimiento in Mexico City. By instructions from the coaching staff, the player who does not go to the camp today will be out of the World Cup."
Why is Mexico threatening to drop players from World Cup?
Owners from clubs based in Mexico agreed to release players after the regular season ended April 26, even with the Liguilla — Liga MX's playoff tournament — beginning May 2 and running through May 24.
FIFA requirements are for World Cup players to be released by May 25, except for finalists in continental championships who will join their national teams after matches on May 30.
The idea, however, was for Aguirre to work with his domestic-based players for several weeks to give El Tri an edge heading into the home World Cup.
But the plan started to show some cracks as club owners and directors watched players miss important matches.
Spain – 17th appearance
Q&A
What ultimatum has Mexico given to Liga MX players regarding the World Cup?
Mexico has threatened that players who do not attend the pre-World Cup training camp will be excluded from the World Cup roster.
When does Mexico's pre-World Cup training camp start?
The pre-World Cup training camp for Mexico begins on May 6, 2026, at 8 p.m. in Mexico City.
What matches will Mexico prepare for during the training camp?
Mexico will prepare for three matches against Ghana, Australia, and Serbia during the training camp.
Why are players being threatened with exclusion from the World Cup?
Players are being threatened with exclusion because club owners agreed to release them for the national team camp despite ongoing Liga MX playoffs.
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This rubbed many owners the wrong way, with the first-leg matches of the Liga MX quarterfinals already having taken place without the players — who are required by FIFA to have a rest period between the end of the season and the start of camp.
That most heavily affected Chivas, who fell 3-1 to Tigres without star forward Armando "Hormiga" Gonzalez, first-choice goalkeeper Raul "Tala" Rangel, starting attackers Roberto Alvarado and Brian Gutierrez, plus midfielder Luis Romo.
Chivas owner Amaury Vergara said he would have his players return to the club, perhaps with an eye on requesting their release for the second leg of the quarterfinal series on Saturday, May 9.
"Agreements are valid only when respected by all parties," Vergara posted on X shortly after midnight Guadalajara time. "I instructed the sporting directors that our players should report tomorrow to the club's facilities."
Mexico plays Ghana in a May 22 friendly match in Puebla before a May 30 date with Australia in Pasadena, California and a "send-off" game against Serbia on June 4 in Toluca.
El Tri opens its World Cup in the historic Estadio Azteca on June 11 with a match against South Africa before facing Korea and Czech Republic to round out the group stage.
