Club Tijuana hosts Tigres in 2026 Apertura with revenge on their minds
Club Tijuana kicks off their 2026 Apertura campaign with a highly anticipated match: they will host Tigres UANL at Estadio Caliente, the same team that eliminated them in last season's quarterfinals. The Xolos, who finished seventh in the regular phase of the 2025 Apertura, aim to climb the standings and prove they can compete with the top teams.
League standing: 9th in Liga MX, 23 pts, 5W-8D-4L from 17 games, recent form DWDWW.
What happened last season?
Tijuana had an inconsistent campaign in the 2025 Apertura, with six wins, six draws, and five losses in the regular phase. Although they advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Juárez 3-1 in a play-in game, their dream ended against Tigres, who beat them 5-3 on aggregate. However, the Xolos secured a symbolic victory in the 2026 Clausura by defeating Tigres 1-0 in April, with a goal from Kevin Castaneda.
Why is this match crucial for Tijuana?
Coach Sebastián Abreu, who took charge in July 2025, has a decent record with 14 wins, 14 draws, and 12 losses in 40 matches. However, the absence of key players like Jackson Porozo and Gilberto Mora, who participated in the 2026 World Cup, and the departure of Castaneda to Chivas complicate his task. Diego Abreu, Adonis Preciado, and new signing Yael Padilla will be crucial in the quest for three points.
What's next for Club Tijuana?
After this match, Club Tijuana will visit Atlético San Luis on August 1 (14th in the table). With 19 goals scored and 17 conceded, the Xolos aim to solidify their position in the upper half of the table and close the 13-point gap separating them from leaders U.N.A.M. - Pumas.
