The 2025–26 season was Club de Futbol Cruz Azul's 99th season in their history and their 61st consecutive season in the top flight of Mexican football. In addition to the domestic league, the club also participated in the Leagues Cup, the CONCACAF Champions Cup, and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
This was Cruz Azul's first season under new head coach Nicolás Larcamón, who was announced as Vicente Sánchez's replacement on 16 June 2025. This season is the first since 2018–19 without Alexis Gutiérrez.
On 8 January 2026, before the start of the Clausura 2026 tournament, Cruz Azul relocated to Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla. The relocation followed a notification from UNAM on 6 January 2026 that the club's contract at Estadio Olímpico Universitario would not be renewed due to logistical and academic scheduling conflicts.
The winter transfer window brought significant squad turnover, with several long-serving players departing the club: captain Ignacio Rivero, who had been at the club since the 2020–21 season, Carlos Vargas, who had joined in 2022–23, Ángel Sepúlveda and Lorenzo Faravelli, both of whom had arrived in the 2023–24 season, and Mateusz Bogusz and Jorge Sánchez, both of whom had joined the previous season. Following Rivero's departure, Érik Lira was appointed the new club captain.
Larcamón was dismissed on 22 April 2026 following a nine-match winless streak, with Joel Huiqui appointed as interim manager for the remainder of the season. Huiqui took charge for the final matchday of the regular season before guiding the team through the playoffs. Cruz Azul reached the final, where they defeated Pumas UNAM 2–1 to secure the club's tenth league title and Huiqui's first as a manager.
Squad
No. Player Nationality Date of birth (age) Since Signed from Goalkeepers 1 Andrés Gudiño (3rd captain) 2019 Venados 23 Kevin Mier 2024 Atlético Nacional 30 Emmanuel Ochoa 2025 San Jose Earthquakes Defenders 3 Omar Campos 2025 Los Angeles FC 4 Willer Ditta (4th captain) 2023 Newell's Old Boys 5 Jesús Orozco 2025 Guadalajara 22 Jorge Rodarte 2025 Zacatecas 33 Gonzalo Piovi 2024 Racing Club Midfielders 6 Érik Lira (captain) 2022 Pumas UNAM 8 Agustín Palavecino 2026 Necaxa 10 Andrés Montaño 2024 Mazatlán 16 Jeremy Márquez 2025 Atlas 17 Amaury García 2024 Pumas UNAM 18 Luka Romero 2025 AC Milan 19 Carlos Rodríguez (vice-captain) 2022 Monterrey 20 José Paradela 2025 Necaxa 29 Carlos Rotondi 2022 Defensa y Justicia 32 Cristian Jiménez 2021 Cruz Azul Academy Forwards 7 Nicolás Ibáñez 2026 Tigres UANL 11 Christian Ebere 2026 Nacional 21 Gabriel Fernández 2024 Pumas UNAM 27 Bryan Gamboa 2025 Cruz Azul Academy
New contracts Date Pos. No. Player Until Ref. First team 19 August 2025 MF 19 Carlos Rodríguez 2029 26 August 2025 MF 8 Lorenzo Faravelli 2026 2 October 2025 DF 33 Gonzalo Piovi 2028 16 October 2025 MF 6 Érik Lira 2029 24 October 2025 MF 29 Carlos Rotondi 2028 29 October 2025 DF 2 Jorge Sánchez 2028 Academy 11 July 2025 FW 27 Bryan Gamboa Undisclosed 11 July 2025 MF 25 Fernando Sámano Undisclosed 11 July 2025 MF 28 Mauro Zaleta Undisclosed
Transfers In Date Pos. No. Player From Fee Ref. 10 July 2025 MF 16 Jeremy Márquez Atlas $4,500,000 11 July 2025 MF 20 José Paradela Necaxa $10,000,000 17 July 2025 FW 163 Alex Gutiérrez Necaxa Undisclosed 6 January 2026 MF 8 Agustín Palavecino Necaxa $5,500,000 6 February 2026 FW 11 Christian Ebere Nacional $1,800,000 10 February 2026 FW 7 Nicolás Ibáñez Tigres UANL $2,500,000 Spending: $24,300,000
Out Date Pos. No. Player To Fee Ref. 25 June 2025 MF 14 Alexis Gutiérrez América $5,000,000 18 July 2025 FW 35 Luis Gutiérrez Querétaro Undisclosed 18 December 2025 FW 9 Ángel Sepúlveda Guadalajara $3,500,000 6 January 2026 MF 15 Ignacio Rivero Tijuana Undisclosed 8 January 2026 MF 8 Lorenzo Faravelli Necaxa Undisclosed 16 January 2026 DF 26 Carlos Vargas — Released 29 January 2026 MF 7 Mateusz Bogusz Houston Dynamo $10,000,000 5 February 2026 DF 2 Jorge Sánchez PAOK $4,000,000 6 February 2026 DF 13 Camilo Cándido Nacional Released Income: $22,500,000
Loans in Date Pos. No. Player From Date until Ref. 17 July 2025 DF 161 Jorge Rodarte Zacatecas 21 December 2025
Loans out Date Pos. No. Player To Date until Ref. 2 June 2025 MF 34 Leonardo Sámano Tepatitlán End of season 4 July 2025 DF 196 Javier Suárez Atlético San Luis End of season 8 July 2025 MF – Jorge García Mazatlán End of season 13 August 2025 FW 11 Giorgos Giakoumakis PAOK End of season 27 August 2025 MF 28 Mauro Zaleta Mazatlán End of season 11 December 2025 DF 22 Raymundo Rubio Correcaminos UAT 31 December 2026 18 December 2025 MF 25 Fernando Sámano Tepatitlán 31 December 2026
Pre-season and friendlies
On 9 June 2025, Cruz Azul announced their plans to head to Morelos for a pre-season tournament held in Zacatepec. This competition would include two confirmed friendly matches against León and either Atlante or Guadalajara, depending on their performance in the initial tournament rounds (either the final or a third-place playoff). A week later, a second friendly competition was confirmed, commencing with a match against Zacatepec, followed by a fixture against either Guadalajara or Santos Laguna. Subsequently, a third preparatory cup was announced, with Cruz Azul facing Once Caldas, and then either Mazatlán or Newell's Old Boys. On 12 September 2025, Cruz Azul announced they would return to the United States for a friendly match against Pumas UNAM, held in Sacramento, California, during the FIFA international break. On 16 September, a second friendly match was announced against León, held in Fresno, California. On 20 December 2025, in prepartation for the Clausura 2026 tournament, Cruz Azul announced a friendly cup match against Jaiba Brava, held in Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas. On 8 January 2026, it was announced a friendly match against Atlas, held in Carson, California. Two weeks later, a friendly was announced against Atlético Nacional in San Jose, California.
Competitions Overall record
Liga MX Apertura
League table
Results summary
Results by round
Matches The league fixtures were announced on 4 June 2025.
Regular phase
Final phase
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Liga MX Clausura
League table
Results summary
Results by round
Matches The league fixtures were announced on 1 December 2025.
Regular phase
Final phase
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Finals
Leagues Cup
As a Liga MX side, Cruz Azul entered the Leagues Cup in the league phase.
League phase
CONCACAF Champions Cup
As the first-placed team in the 2024–25 aggregate table in Liga MX, Cruz Azul entered the CONCACAF Champions Cup in round one.
Round one The draw for round one was held on 9 December 2025. Cruz Azul were drawn against Canadian side Vancouver FC.
Round of 16 Cruz Azul were drawn against fellow Mexican side Monterrey.
Quarter-finals Cruz Azul were drawn against American side Los Angeles FC.
FIFA Intercontinental Cup
As the CONCACAF Champions Cup winners, Cruz Azul entered the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in the second round.
Second round FIFA Derby of the Americas
Statistics
Appearances Players with no appearances are not included on the list.
! colspan=16 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center| Player(s) who have made an appearance but departed the club during the season:
Goals Rank Pos. No. Player Liga MX Apertura Liga MX Clausura Leagues Cup Champions Cup FIFA Intercontinental Cup Total 1 FW 21 Gabriel Fernández 9 5 0 1 0 15 2 MF 20 José Paradela 3 7 0 2 0 12 3 MF 19 Carlos Rodríguez 4 4 1 0 0 9 4 MF 8 Agustín Palavecino 0 6 0 1 0 7 FW 9 Ángel Sepúlveda 7 0 0 0 0 7 6 MF 16 Jeremy Márquez 3 3 0 0 0 6 MF 18 Luka Romero 2 1 0 3 0 6 MF 29 Carlos Rotondi 2 4 0 0 0 6 9 FW 11 Christian Ebere 0 4 0 0 0 4 FW 7 Nicolás Ibáñez 0 2 0 2 0 4 11 MF 15 Ignacio Rivero 2 0 1 0 0 3 12 DF 3 Omar Campos 1 1 0 0 0 2 MF 10 Andrés Montaño 0 2 0 0 0 2 MF 194 Amaury Morales 1 0 0 1 0 2 15 MF 7 Mateusz Bogusz 1 0 0 0 0 1 DF 4 Willer Ditta 0 0 1 0 0 1 MF 6 Érik Lira 0 0 0 1 0 1 DF 5 Jesús Orozco 1 0 0 0 0 1 DF 33 Gonzalo Piovi 0 0 0 1 0 1 DF 22 Jorge Rodarte 0 0 0 1 0 1 DF 2 Jorge Sánchez 0 0 0 0 1 1 Own goals 1 2 0 0 0 3 Total 37 41 3 13 1 95
Assists Rank Pos. No. Player Liga MX Apertura Liga MX Clausura Leagues Cup Champions Cup FIFA Intercontinental Cup Total 1 MF 20 José Paradela 5 5 0 0 0 10 2 FW 21 Gabriel Fernández 2 4 0 2 0 8 MF 29 Carlos Rotondi 3 4 1 0 0 8 4 MF 19 Carlos Rodríguez 5 1 0 0 1 7 5 DF 3 Omar Campos 0 2 0 2 0 4 6 MF 8 Agustín Palavecino 0 3 0 0 0 3 FW 9 Ángel Sepúlveda 3 0 0 0 0 3 8 MF 7 Mateusz Bogusz 1 0 1 0 0 2 DF 4 Willer Ditta 0 2 0 0 0 2 MF 16 Jeremy Márquez 1 0 0 1 0 2 MF 194 Amaury Morales 0 1 1 0 0 2 DF 33 Gonzalo Piovi 2 0 0 0 0 2 MF 18 Luka Romero 2 0 0 0 0 2 14 MF 8 Lorenzo Faravelli 1 0 0 0 0 1 FW 7 Nicolás Ibáñez 0 1 0 0 0 1 MF 10 Andrés Montaño 0 0 0 1 0 1 DF 5 Jesús Orozco 1 0 0 0 0 1 MF 15 Ignacio Rivero 1 0 0 0 0 1 DF 22 Jorge Rodarte 0 1 0 0 0 1 DF 2 Jorge Sánchez 1 0 0 0 0 1 Total 28 24 3 6 1 62
Clean sheets Rank No. Player Liga MX Apertura Liga MX Clausura Leagues Cup Champions Cup FIFA Intercontinental Cup Total 1 23 Kevin Mier 5 2 0 0 0 7 2 1 Andrés Gudiño 1 4 0 0 0 5 3 30 Emmanuel Ochoa 0 0 0 2 0 2 Total 6 6 0 2 0 14
Disciplinary record No. Pos. Player Liga MX Apertura Liga MX Clausura Leagues Cup Champions Cup FIFA Intercontinental Cup Total 1 GK Andrés Gudiño 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 2 DF Jorge Sánchez 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 DF Omar Campos 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 4 DF Willer Ditta 4 0 0 7 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 16 0 0 5 DF Jesús Orozco 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 6 MF Érik Lira 4 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 7 FW Nicolás Ibáñez 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 7 MF Mateusz Bogusz 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 8 MF Agustín Palavecino 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 8 MF Lorenzo Faravelli 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 9 FW Ángel Sepúlveda 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 10 MF Andrés Montaño 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 11 FW Christian Ebere 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 15 MF Ignacio Rivero 6 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 16 MF Jeremy Márquez 4 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 17 MF Amaury García 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 18 MF Luka Romero 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 19 MF Carlos Rodríguez 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 20 MF José Paradela 3 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 21 FW Gabriel Fernández 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 22 DF Jorge Rodarte 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 29 MF Carlos Rotondi 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 33 DF Gonzalo Piovi 5 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 1 0 0 14 0 1 193 MF Jaziel Mendoza 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 214 FW Mateo Levy 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Total 42 1 4 49 0 1 8 0 0 16 0 1 2 0 0 117 1 6
References