Deportivo Toluca FC has secured its place in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. The Red Devils officially qualified as the champion of the 2025 Liga MX Apertura, as confirmed by the continental body on its website this week. This gives the current defending champion the chance to fight for a fourth title in the region's premier club competition.
The 2027 Champions Cup will be the 65th edition of the tournament and will feature 27 clubs. The winner secures a spot at the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. Toluca enters as the back-to-back champion, having defeated Tigres UANL on penalties in the 2026 final to lift its third trophy. Those three titles, won in 1968, 2003, and 2026, tie them as the fifth-most successful club in the competition's history.
How did Toluca qualify for the Champions Cup?
Deportivo Toluca FC earned its ticket in two ways. The primary route was by winning the 2025 Liga MX Apertura championship. Furthermore, the spot was allocated to them as the highest-ranked champion from the Mexican league. This dual qualification path highlights the team's consistency in recent years. Their continental run last year also included a advance to the 2026 Leagues Cup Semifinals.
The team's current form is promising. In Liga MX, Toluca sits in fifth place with 10 points from five games, from three wins, one draw, and one loss. They have a +4 goal difference, having scored eight and conceded four. They are just three points behind leaders Club America. Their last result was a 1-2 win over Club Queretaro on August 22. You can track their league position on our standings page.
Which other Mexican teams will be in 2027?
Liga MX will have the strongest representation in the early stages. The first six clubs to qualify are all from Mexico. Alongside Toluca, Tigres UANL, Cruz Azul, Pumas UNAM, Club America, and CD Guadalajara have already booked their spots. CF Pachuca also qualified after the Leagues Cup Quarterfinals as the next best non-qualified club in the Liga MX aggregate standings. CF Monterrey secured its place and will define its entry route later.
These eight teams reflect the current strength of Mexican club football. Club America and Cruz Azul are the all-time top champions with seven titles each. The list of champions, which includes 30 different clubs since the first edition in 1962, is dominated by Mexican sides.
What are the qualification pathways for the tournament?
There are multiple routes to reach the 2027 Champions Cup across the Concacaf region. Slots are distributed through the Canadian Championship (1), Canadian Premier League (2), Caribbean Cup (3), Central American Cup (6), Leagues Cup (3), Liga MX (6), MLS (5), and the U.S. Open Cup (1). Clubs that win certain designated competitions receive a bye directly to the Round of 16.
An important reassignment rule exists. If a club qualifying through Leagues Cup has already qualified via Liga MX or MLS, then that league receives an additional slot for the next best non-qualified club. This system aims to ensure the broadest possible representation.
What does this qualification mean for Toluca's season?
For Toluca, early qualification provides breathing room to plan for a busy 2027 season. However, the immediate focus is on the present. With a recent run of three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five matches, the team aims to maintain momentum in Liga MX. Their next challenge is an away fixture against Puebla, who are sixth in the table, on September 5. Details of all upcoming matches are available on our fixtures calendar.
The clear objective is to arrive at the next Champions Cup in the best possible shape, with a competitive squad you can review in our team section. Defending the title will be a huge challenge, but Toluca has shown it has the experience and quality to compete with the continent's best. Their record of three continental crowns speaks for itself.
