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Liga MX president: U.S., Mexico, Canada could form joint league

Catherine Ivill / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The president of the Mexican top flight says the three North American nations set to host the 2026 World Cup could form a unified domestic league following the quadrennial event.

The United States, Mexico, and Canada beat out Morocco for the right to host the first 48-team World Cup at the FIFA Congress in June. With professional clubs from the three nations already competing in the CONCACAF Champions League, Liga MX chief Enrique Bonilla thinks the next step could be to form a joint division.

"It's a possibility, a North American league," Bonilla told reporters at a leaders summit at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, according to ESPN FC. "We have to determine how and see the pros and cons but I think that's a way to grow and to compete again."

"If we can make a World Cup then we can make a North American league or a North American Cup. The main idea is that we have to grow together to compete. If not, there is only going to be the rich guys in Europe and the rest of the world."

Bonilla's quotes come on the heels of a partnership between Liga MX and the MLS that launched the inaugural Campeones Cup played between Mexican champ Tigres and record breakers Toronto FC.

"We think this opportunity with the World Cup in 2026 opens the door for us to make a lot of things different and better," Bonilla added.

MLS released its own statement later Wednesday.

"In March, Major League Soccer entered into a formal partnership with Liga MX, and last month we held our inaugural Campeones Cup between Toronto FC and Tigres," a statement from MLS executive vice president of communications Dan Courtemanche read. "We have been discussing with Liga MX additional ways we can collaborate on and off the field, and we are excited about the future opportunities that exist between the two leagues."

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