If you’ve taken a quick glance at the la liga mexicana standings recently, you might have done a double-take. It’s January 2026. The Clausura is just waking up, and the table looks like someone put the regular giants in a blender and hit pulse. Usually, by this time, we’re used to seeing the "Big Four" comfortably nestled at the top, but the early weeks of this tournament have been anything but predictable.
Honestly, the start of the year in Mexican soccer is always a bit of a fever dream. Players are still shaking off the holiday tamales. New signings are trying to remember their teammates' names. It's chaotic. And that chaos is reflected perfectly in the current points distribution where a single win can catapult a team from "crisis mode" to "league leaders."
Chivas and Toluca are Setting the Pace
Right now, Guadalajara (Chivas) and Toluca are looking down at everyone else. They’ve both jumped out to a perfect start with 6 points from their first two matches. For Chivas, this is huge. Under Gabriel Milito, they’ve looked surprisingly sharp. Their defense hasn't conceded a single goal yet, which is sort of a miracle given how shaky they were at times last year.
Toluca is a different beast entirely. They are the defending Apertura 2025 champions. They didn't just win; they dominated. Now, they’re proving it wasn't a fluke. With Joao Pedro Paulinho leading the charge—the guy who bagged 12 goals last tournament—they look like they’re playing a different sport. They’ve already put up 4 goals in two games. If you’re betting on who stays at the top of the la liga mexicana standings, Toluca is the safest horse in the race.
The Struggle is Real for Club América
Now, here’s the part that has everyone in CDMX talking: Club América. The winningest team in the history of the league is sitting near the bottom. One point. Two games. Zero goals scored. It’s bizarre.
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André Jardine is a tactical genius, but even he looks frustrated on the sidelines. They drew their opener 0-0 and then dropped points again. They’re sitting in 16th place. 16th! For a team with their payroll and the pressure of the "Azulcrema" fanbase, that’s basically a national emergency. But look, let’s be real—América always does this. They start slow, everyone panics, and then they win eight in a row in March. Don't write them off yet, but if you’re looking at the standings today, it’s definitely a sight to see.
Mid-Table Mayhem: Pumas, Tijuana, and the Rest
The middle of the pack is a crowded mess. You’ve got Pumas UNAM and Club Tijuana sitting on 4 points each. They haven't lost, but they haven't been perfect either. Pumas has this new vibe under their current management where they’re actually grinding out results away from home, which used to be their Achilles' heel.
Then you have the 3-point club. It's a massive group:
- Monterrey (Rayados): They’ve had a win and a loss. One day they look like world-beaters, the next they can't find the net.
- Cruz Azul: Losing their opener was a gut punch to the fans, but they bounced back. They’re sitting in 6th place thanks to goal difference.
- Tigres UANL: Only played one game so far (a win), so they’re technically "behind," but they have the talent to jump to the top the second they play their game in hand.
It's important to remember how Liga MX works. The "Play-In" format means that even if you're 10th or 12th, you're still technically "in it." This is why the early la liga mexicana standings can be so misleading. Teams like Pachuca or León might be struggling in 13th or 8th right now, but a single good weekend changes the entire narrative.
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Why the Numbers Look So Volatile
If you’re wondering why the goal differences are all over the place, look at the scoring averages. We’re seeing about 2.8 to 3.1 goals per match this season. That’s high. Defenses are still getting organized.
Santos Laguna and Mazatlán are currently the "basement dwellers" with zero points. Santos has conceded 6 goals in just two games. That’s a defensive nightmare. When you’re at the bottom of the la liga mexicana standings with a -4 goal difference this early, the pressure on the coaching staff becomes unbearable. In Mexico, "Proyectos" (projects) last about as long as a cup of coffee if the results aren't there.
Misconceptions About the Standings
One thing most people get wrong is thinking the leader of the regular season is the favorite to win the title. Not in this league. The Superlíder curse is a real thing in Mexican culture. Frequently, the team that finishes first gets knocked out in the first round of the Liguilla (playoffs).
Also, don't be fooled by the "points." Because of the staggered schedule—some teams having played two games, others only one—the table is skewed. Tigres, for example, looks "low" in 3rd or 10th depending on when you check the live updates, but their points-per-game is actually perfect.
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What to Watch for in the Coming Weeks
The next few matchdays are going to be wild. We have some "Clásicos" coming up that will inevitably shake up the la liga mexicana standings.
- Watch Chivas. Can they keep a clean sheet for a third or fourth game?
- Keep an eye on Monterrey. They have the most expensive squad, and being in 7th place isn't going to sit well with their board.
- Cruz Azul vs Atlas is a key matchup. Both teams are hovering around that middle zone and need to prove they belong in the top six.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking the league this year, don't just look at the total points. Look at the "Expected Goals" (xG) and home vs. away splits. Teams like Atlético San Luis are punching above their weight because they are incredibly efficient at home.
- Check the game-in-hand status: Always look at "Matches Played" (MP). A team in 12th might actually be the "real" 4th place team if they have two games postponed.
- Ignore the first 5 rounds: Historically, the standings don't stabilize until Week 6. The current table is mostly about momentum and luck.
- Follow the injury reports: With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, some stars are being rotated more than usual to avoid burnout, which directly impacts team performance and their standing.
The Mexican league is a marathon that turns into a sprint at the end. While the current la liga mexicana standings offer a fun snapshot of who’s hot right now, the real drama hasn't even started. Stay focused on the goal difference; that’s usually the first indicator of who is actually a contender and who is just having a lucky week.
For the most accurate updates, cross-reference the official Liga MX site with live tickers like FotMob or 365Scores, as they update the table in real-time as goals are scored.