By Yomi Kuku, Toronto Canada
Plans are underway within CONMEBOL to formally invite clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Mexico’s Liga MX to compete in the historic Copa Libertadores beginning with the 2027 edition, sources reporting on developments in South American football say.
According to reports, CONMEBOL is preparing official documentation to present to member associations that would allow teams from both leagues — traditionally part of CONCACAF — to participate in South America’s premier club competition. The proposed structure would allocate two slots per league: one via a direct invitation and another earned through sporting merit.
The initiative reflects CONMEBOL’s interest in expanding the reach and competitiveness of the tournament, potentially reintegrating Mexican and U.S./Canadian clubs into a competition they historically interacted with. Mexican teams regularly featured in the Copa Libertadores from 1998 until 2016** before withdrawing due to confederation and calendar conflicts.
However, any such expansion still hinges on broader approval and coordination between CONMEBOL and CONCACAF, the governing body for North, Central American, and Caribbean football. Past efforts by Mexican football authorities to rejoin the Libertadores have previously been rejected by CONCACAF and FIFA, underscoring the regulatory hurdles that remain.
CONMEBOL’s current proposals are still in early stages and must be examined by its member associations before becoming official. If approved, the move would mark a significant shift in continental club competition formats and could deepen inter-confederation cooperation while reshaping the landscape of elite club football in the Americas.