Scandal in the Mexican National Team: Chivas refuses to loan players after Toluca’s “special permission” | OneFootball

In the last few hours, word got out that Toluca asked the Mexican National Team and head coach Javier Aguirre for a favor — a very convenient one. They requested a “special permission” to have Alexis Vega and Jesús Gallardo available for Wednesday’s second leg against LAFC in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinals.

And guess what? It was granted. Of course it was.

So now, both players will be on the field tonight at the Estadio Nemesio Diez, while the rest of Liga MX watches this whole situation turn into the week’s main character.

Let’s rewind for a second

Twelve Liga MX players heading to the World Cup were supposed to report this Thursday to Mexico’s training camp in Mexico City. The agreement was clear. At least, it was supposed to be. Players would only participate up to Matchday 17 of the Clausura 2026 and, at most, the first leg of the Concacaf semifinals. After that, they were off limits. No liguilla, no second legs, no exceptions.

Except… apparently, exceptions do exist. You just have to ask nicely.

It didn’t even take two hours after Vega and Gallardo’s release was confirmed for Chivas owner Amaury Vergara to jump on X and drop a statement that basically said: “Yeah, no. Bring our players back.”

Chivas owner’s statement. (Source: X)

Chivas, like every other playoff team, had already been forced to play without their national team players. They lost 3-1 to Tigres in the first leg of the quarterfinals without Raúl Rangel, Luis Romo, Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutiérrez, and Armando González.

And now this?

“The agreements are only valid when all parties respect them. I’ve instructed our sporting department to have our players report back to the club tomorrow,” Vergara posted.

That’s not just a statement. That’s a warning shot.

Unpleasant spotlight on Aguirre

Because what this really does is expose the entire planning of Javier Aguirre and the Mexican Federation ahead of the World Cup… as a complete mess.

First, you impose an agreement that basically forces clubs to give up their players for over a month right in the middle of the most competitive stage of the season: the liguilla. Then, over the weekend, those same players are seen at home, chilling with their families, watching the playoffs on TV. Naturally, people start asking: why not just let them play?

And now? Toluca gets their players back for a crucial match. Which basically opens the door for every other club to demand the same treatment.

Consistency? Never heard of her.

To make things even better (or worse), an old press conference from March 26 suddenly went viral again. Aguirre had been crystal clear:

“They’ll play Concacaf on the 5th and join me on the 6th. After that, they won’t play anymore. It’s approved by everyone.”

Approved by everyone. That line aged like milk.

Pull the thread…

Chivas’ reaction doesn’t come out of nowhere. It’s a response to what they see as a broken agreement and a competitive imbalance. If some teams get exceptions, then the entire structure collapses — simple as that.

So now, Vergara has decided to pull the plug and demand his players back immediately, prioritizing Chivas’ own interests in a decisive moment of the season.

And honestly? From their perspective, it makes perfect sense.

This whole situation reopens a bigger conversation between Liga MX clubs and the National Team: who really has control when calendars collide? Who absorbs the cost? And more importantly: who gets to bend the rules?

Because right now, it feels like the rules are more of a suggestion.

Originally, Liga MX clubs had agreed to release players after the Clausura 2026 regular season and the first leg of the Concacaf semifinals, allowing the national team to have a long, uninterrupted training camp ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Statement on the Mexico camp. Source: Mexican Federation

“The training camp will begin on May 6. Players will participate with their clubs through Matchday 17, then have a rest period before joining the national team. If a Mexican club reaches the Concacaf semifinals, players will participate in the first leg, rest, and then report to camp,” said national teams director Duilio Davino when presenting the plan.

Clean. Structured. Logical. Until it wasn’t.

Because now, with one “special permission,” the entire plan is unraveling in real time.

And the worst part?

This might just be the beginning.

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