2024 Leagues Cup group stage explained

The 2024 Leagues Cup group stage consisted of a total of 45 teams competing across 15 groups to decide 30 of the 32 places in the knockout stage of the 2024 Leagues Cup.^[1]

Format

In each of the 15 groups, teams played against each other in a round-robin format. The top two teams of each group advanced to the round of 32.^[2]

Besides the teams receiving byes, the top 15 remaining teams from each league were placed into groups in reverse order (for example, the 2nd-ranked MLS club was drawn against the 16th-ranked Liga MX club). The remaining teams (13 MLS and 2 Liga MX) were drawn into groups and divided into geographical regions.^[3]

Teams were ranked according to points (3 points for a win in regulation, 2 points for a win in a penalty shoot-out, 1 point for a loss in a penalty shoot-out, 0 points for a loss in regulation). If, at the end of the group stage, two or more clubs were tied in points, their positions in the table was determined according to a set of tie-breaking criteria.^[4]

Tiebreakers

1. In case only two teams were tied on points, the direct head-to-head match result between the tied clubs determined the ranking (for clarity, a victory on penalties was considered a win for purposes of this tiebreaker);
2. In case three teams were tied on points, the following criteria applied:
   1. Better overall goal differential between goals scored and goals conceded during the group stage;
   2. Greater number of goals scored during the group stage;
   3. Fewer number of goals conceded during the group stage;
   4. Clubs' fair-play table
   5. A draw organized by the organizing committee.

Groups

The matches were played on July 26–28, July 30–August 1, and August 3–6, 2024.

Times are EDT, as listed by CONCACAF (local times, if different, are in parentheses).

East 1

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East 2

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East 3

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East 4

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East 5

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East 6

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East 7

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West 1

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West 2

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West 3

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West 4

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West 5

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West 6

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West 7

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West 8

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Notes and References

1. News: Leagues Cup 2024: Groups for MLS and LIGA MX teams . January 31, 2024. MLSSoccer.com. February 2, 2024.
2. News: Straus . Brian . October 6, 2022 . How MLS, Liga MX's Leagues Cup Competition Will Work . . October 6, 2022.
3. News: October 6, 2022 . Leagues Cup 2023 dates and structure announced . Major League Soccer . October 6, 2022.
4. Web site: Leagues Cup 2024 Tournament Regulations . July 30, 2024 . Leagues Cup . 10.