Lira is coming off a great 2026 World Cup with Mexico, where his performances helped increase his profile in the international market. At 26, the midfielder is now set to leave Cruz Azul and begin a new chapter in European soccer.

The agreement was reported by Fabrizio Romano, who confirmed that only one final step remains before the transfer can move to the signing stage. Monaco still needs to free an extra non-EU roster spot before the deal can officially be completed.

How much will Monaco pay Cruz Azul for Erik Lira?

Fabrizio Romano revealed the financial details of the agreement between the two clubs. “AS Monaco have reached verbal agreement for Mexican midfielder Erik Lira, here we go! €8m fee plus €3m add-ons to Cruz Azul with 20% sell-on clause. Final step needed: AS Monaco to free an extra spot then deal proceeds to signatures stage.”

The final package represents a significant improvement over Monaco’s initial proposal. The French club initially approached Cruz Azul with an offer of around €3 million, but the Mexican club was not willing to accept such a figure for one of its most important players.

Cruz Azul president Víctor Velazquez and Lira’s representatives pushed throughout the negotiations to improve the financial terms. That effort ultimately resulted in an agreement worth €8 million guaranteed, plus another €3 million in bonuses and variables.

Most importantly for Cruz Azul, the deal also includes a 20% sell-on clause. The Mexican club will therefore retain an important financial interest in Lira’s future if Monaco eventually sells him.

Erik Lira is heading to Europe after World Cup breakout

The move represents the culmination of an impressive period for Lira. After his debut with Pumas UNAM, the midfielder became an important figure for Cruz Azul and eventually wore the captain’s armband. His performances in 2026, particularly during the World Cup with Mexico, helped create the opportunity to move to Europe.

Lira will now join Monaco with the chance to compete at one of the highest levels of European soccer. The French club sees the Mexican midfielder as a player capable of strengthening its midfield, while Lira finally gets the opportunity he has reportedly wanted throughout his career: playing in Europe.

Cruz Azul also managed to protect its future interests in the deal. Rather than simply accepting a relatively modest transfer fee, the club negotiated a considerably larger guaranteed payment and retained 20% of the player’s future value.

What is missing for Erik Lira to join Monaco?

The agreement is not yet completely official. Monaco must first free an additional spot for a non-EU player. Once that issue is resolved, the transfer can move toward the final paperwork and signatures. Lira is expected to travel to France for his medical examinations before completing the move.

For Cruz Azul, it marks the departure of one of the club’s most important players. For Lira, it is the beginning of a completely different challenge. After becoming a champion with Cruz Azul and establishing himself with the Mexican national team, the midfielder is now ready to test himself in Ligue 1.

How to watch Cruz Azul vs Atlas in the USA

Cruz Azul vs Atlas will be available in the United States on TUDN USA and Univision. For viewers who prefer streaming, the match can also be watched through TUDN.com, Univision NOW, the TUDN App and ViX.

Can I watch Cruz Azul vs Atlas for free?

There is currently no confirmed free way to watch Cruz Azul vs Atlas live in the USA. The safest option for viewers who want the full match is to use one of the official services carrying the broadcast.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Cruz Azul and Atlas meet in Matchday 5 of the Liga MX Apertura 2026, with both teams looking to make an early statement in the domestic campaign. Atlas enters the matchup with nine points from its first four games, while Cruz Azul has collected six points after consecutive defeats against Atlante and Tijuana. The result could therefore be important for the early playoff race.

The pressure is particularly high on Cruz Azul, which won the Clausura 2026 but has struggled to maintain that momentum at the beginning of its title defense. La Maquina has suffered back-to-back league losses and is also dealing with several injuries, including Gonzalo Piovi, Willer Ditta and Carlos Rotondi. Joel Huiqui‘s team now has an immediate opportunity to stop the slide at home.

Atlas, meanwhile, arrives in better league form. The Rojinegros have won three of their four Apertura matches, with their latest victory coming against Tigres on August 15. That 2-1 result moved Atlas into the upper part of the standings and gave the team momentum heading into a difficult away match against the reigning Liga MX champions.

There is also a recent postseason storyline between these clubs. Cruz Azul eliminated Atlas in the Clausura 2026 quarterfinals, winning the series 4-2 on aggregate after a 3-2 victory in the first leg and a 1-0 win at Estadio Banorte in the return match. Jose Paradela scored the decisive goal in that second leg.

Cruz Azul vs Atlas: Predicted Lineups

Cruz Azul (4-2-3-1): Kevin Mier; Omar Campos, Jesus Orozco, Alan Montes, Angel Marquez; Carlos Rodriguez, Erik Lira; Luka Romero, Christian Ebere, Jose Paradela; Nicolas Ibanez.

Atlas (4-3-1-2): Camilo Vargas; Jorge Rodriguez, Rodrigo Schlegel, Manuel Capasso, Gustavo Ferrareis; Alfonso Gonzalez, Edgar Zaldivar, Duk; Victor Rios; Florian Monzon, Jose Martin.

What time is the Cruz Azul vs Atlas match?

The match kicks off on Saturday, August 22, at 11:00 PM ET in the United States. Although the match is listed as August 23 in UTC-based schedules because kickoff is at 3:00 AM UTC, U.S. viewers will watch it late Saturday night.

• Eastern Time: 11:00 PM ET
• Central Time: 10:00 PM CT
• Mountain Time: 9:00 PM MT
• Pacific Time: 8:00 PM PT

How to watch Cruz Azul vs Chicago Fire in the USA

Cruz Azul vs Chicago Fire will be available to stream live in the United States through Apple TV. The 2026 Leagues Cup is available through the app, with every tournament match offered live and on demand.

Can I watch Cruz Azul vs Chicago Fire for free?

Eligible new Apple TV subscribers can watch Cruz Azul vs Chicago Fire during the service’s 7-day free trial. Apple currently advertises a seven-day free trial for the platform before the regular monthly subscription price applies.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Cruz Azul vs Chicago Fire is the final match of Phase One for both clubs, making the August 13 meeting particularly important in the race for the Leagues Cup quarterfinals. The 2026 competition features 36 teams with each club playing three matches against opponents from the other league.

Both teams enter the match unbeaten and with six points from their first two games. Cruz Azul opened its campaign with a 1-0 victory over Philadelphia Union, with Jose Paradela scoring early, before defeating New York City FC 2-1 on August 9. Agustin Palavecino and Paradela scored for La Maquina in that second win.

Chicago Fire have also won both of their Phase One matches. The MLS side defeated Club Necaxa 2-0 in its opener and then rallied from behind to beat Santos Laguna 3-1 on August 9. Robert Lewandowski scored the third goal against Santos, giving him three goals in his first three appearances for the Fire.

Cruz Azul vs Chicago Fire: Predicted Lineups

Cruz Azul (4-1-3-2): Kevin Mier; Omar Campos, Willer Ditta, Gonzalo Piovi, Jesus Orozco; Erik Lira; Carlos Rodriguez, Agustin Palavecino, Jeremy Marquez; Gabriel Fernandez, Jose Paradela.

Chicago Fire (4-3-3): Chris Brady; Viktor Radojevic, Jack Elliott, Joel Waterman, Leonardo Barroso; Anton Saletros, Mauricio Pineda, David Turdean; Maren Haile-Selassie, Robert Lewandowski, Jonathan Bamba.

What time is the Cruz Azul vs Chicago Fire match?

The match kicks off on Thursday, August 13, at 9:00 PM ET. The game will be played at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, where the listed local kickoff time is 8:00 PM Central Time.

• Eastern Time: 9:00 PM
• Central Time: 8:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 7:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 6:00 PM

How to watch Cruz Azul vs New York City FC in the USA

The Leagues Cup matchup between Cruz Azul and New York City FC can be watched on TV channels Fox Sports 1, TUDN USA, Univision, and FOX One. But it does not end there, as it can also be enjoyed on streaming apps broadcasting the game, such as Fubo TV, TUDN.com, Univision NOW, and the TUDN App.

Can I watch Cruz Azul vs New York City FC for free?

Yes, you can enjoy Cruz Azul vs New York City FC for free in the USA by signing up for Fubo‘s 5-day free trial, provided you are an eligible new subscriber. The trial includes access to the channels carrying the match.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Cruz Azul managed to start their participation on a positive note, looking to position themselves among the top spots in the standings for Liga MX teams, a similar scenario to how their MLS rival arrives for this second matchday of the League Phase as they look to keep advancing in the competition.

The team managed by Joel Huiqui wants to elevate its level at the start of the season, remembering that the current Liga MX champions managed to secure all three points on the first matchday of action in the binational tournament after defeating Philadelphia Union 1-0 with a goal from Jose Paradela in the early minutes of the match.

Although La Maquina managed to be one of the few Mexican soccer squads to claim a win on Matchday 1 of the 2026 Leagues Cup, their performance must be replicated in this second commitment to uphold their name and avoid joining the squads that lost to MLS teams.

On the other hand, New York City FC also secured a victory in their first test of the tournament, defeating Santos Laguna 2-0 with goals from Tayvon Gray and Nico Cavallo. Following the resumption of MLS after the 2026 World Cup, NYC FC maintained an undefeated record, registering wins against Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire, a draw with Toronto FC, and a win over Santos on Matchday 1 of the Leagues Cup.

What time is the Cruz Azul vs New York City FC match?

The match will be played on Saturday, August 9, with kickoff scheduled for 7:40 PM ET. Here are the kickoff times across the United States:

• Eastern Time (ET): 7:40 PM
• Central Time (CT): 6:40 PM
• Mountain Time (MT): 5:40 PM
• Pacific Time (PT): 4:40 PM

How to watch Cruz Azul vs Philadelphia Union in the USA

Fans in the United States will be able to watch Cruz Azul and the Philadelphia Union in the Leagues Cup on FOX Sports 1, TUDN USA and UniMás.

For streaming, the game will be available on Apple TV, TUDN.com, Univision NOW, TUDN App, FOX One and Fubo.

Can I watch Cruz Azul vs Philadelphia Union for free?

Yes! The easiest legal way to watch the match for free in the United States is through Fubo‘s 5-day free trial, which gives new eligible subscribers access to the FOX broadcast carrying the game.

If you’re an eligible new Apple TV subscriber, you may be able to take advantage of the 7-day free trial, depending on your account status and any current promotional offers. Availability varies by account and region.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Cruz Azul enters as one of Liga MX’s top-ranked representatives, while Philadelphia qualified after winning the 2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield, earning the right to host all three of its Phase One matches.

The game is also a rematch of their only previous meeting, a 1-1 draw in the 2024 Leagues Cup that Cruz Azul won on penalties. The stakes are particularly high because of the tournament’s new format.

Each club plays only three Phase One matches, all against teams from the opposite league, with no draws. A regulation win is worth three points, while matches tied after 90 minutes go directly to penalties, awarding one additional point to the shootout winner.

Only the top-performing teams from MLS and Liga MX advance to the quarterfinals, making every point critical from the opening matchday. In addition, the tournament’s three best finishers qualify for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.

For the Philadelphia Union, a strong start at home is essential before facing Necaxa and Santos Laguna later in Phase One. They have consistently been one of the competition’s strongest MLS clubs, reaching the semifinals in 2023 and 2024, and will look to capitalize on home-field advantage once again.

Cruz Azul, meanwhile, is aiming to add a second Leagues Cup title after lifting the inaugural trophy in 2019, knowing that defeating one of MLS’ toughest home teams would put La Maquina in an excellent position to reach the knockout rounds.

Cruz Azul vs Philadelphia Union: Predicted Lineups

Cruz Azul (4-1-3-2): Andres Gudiño; Omar Campos, Willer Ditta, Gonzalo Piovi, Jesus Orozco; Jeremy Marquez, Luka Romero, Agustin Palavecino, Nicolas Ibañez; Christian Ebere, Andres Montaño.

Philadelphia Union (4-4-2): Andre Blake; Kai Wagner, Neil Pierre, Nathan Harriel, Frankie Westfield; Indiana Vassilev, Danley Jean Jacques, Jovan Lukic, Cavan Sullivan; Bruno Damiani, Milan Iloski.

What time is the Cruz Azul vs Philadelphia Union match?

Cruz Azul and the Philadelphia Union will face off on Thursday, August 6, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 PM ET at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. The match is part of the opening phase of the 2026 Leagues Cup.

• Eastern Time: 8:00 PM
• Central Time: 7:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 6:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 5:00 PM

“We were able to watch the first four games of the league this year and you see that we have to be able to adjust to what the game brings because you’ll see a different shape, one that’s tough for us to predict going into the match, but even throughout the game that they might change shape, or the way they’re building up, and the way they’re defending,” Richter started his response to Bolavip.

“And for us, that we’re able to be flexible and able to adapt to what we see in the game. So, we try to give them the picture, but that’s up to Kai and the guys also in some moments that they have to recognize the situation and organize that piece themselves on the field.“

Richter, who was named interim head coach by the Union in late May, expects Cruz Azul to challenge his players with a style of play that is rarely seen in Major League Soccer.

“Something that you don’t see so much every week at MLS is this type of fluidity and this type of changes, and one that I’m excited to see how we adapt to, and I think we’ll be successful if we’re able to adapt accordingly,” Richter added.

Wagner embraces underdog mentality vs. Cruz Azul

Wagner, meanwhile, had no problem in admitting that Cruz Azul are strong favorites for this clash. The 29-year-old, who returned to Philadelphia as a Designated Player in July following a brief stint with English side Birmingham City, still believes in the Union’s chances to produce an upset.

“We have the coaches who talk us through the game, we had a film session and for me, it’s just like we have to bring our best moments on the field, we have to defend good, we have to attack good, we have to be all leaders on the field all together,” Wagner responded to Bolavip. “And we know Cruz Azul will be the favorites for that game. They are one of the biggest teams in Mexico, and we’re really happy to face them tomorrow to see what we are capable of.

“Like I said, we are in a good run of form in the moment, but to be clear, they are the favorites tomorrow. But we like to be the underdogs, we like the mentality to come as the underdogs and yeah, I’m ready for the game. Hope the boys are ready too, I will make sure I get them ready for tomorrow.“

Philadelphia and Cruz Azul’s recent form

Even though Wagner is putting the pressure on the opponents, the Union head into their Leagues Cup debut in excellent form. Under Richter, Philadelphia is riding on a three-game winning streak, having won all three MLS fixtures played at home after the World Cup break.

Last time out, Cruz Azul suffered a tight 2-3 loss to Atlante in Liga MX play, but before that, Joel Huiqui’s men claimed two league wins as well as the Campeon de Campeones title against Toluca.

As the defending Liga MX champions, Cruz Azul are widely seen as favorites not only to get a victorious start against Philadelphia, but also to challenge for the Leagues Cup title. Wagner is aware of that, but he’s embracing the underdog status. Let’s wait and see what happens Thursday night.

How to watch Cruz Azul vs Atlante in the USA

Cruz Azul and Atlante meet on Saturday, August 1, in a Liga MX Apertura regular-season clash. Fans in the United States can watch the match live on TUDN USA and Univision.

The game will also be available to stream on TUDN.com, Univision NOW, the TUDN App and ViX, giving viewers multiple ways to follow the action live on mobile devices, smart TVs and web browsers.

Can I watch Cruz Azul vs Atlante for free?

There is no confirmed free streaming option available for Cruz Azul vs. Atlante in the United States. Fans will need access to one of the official platforms carrying the match, including TUDN USA, Univision and more.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Cruz Azul face Atlante in one of the most attractive fixtures of Matchday 3 of the 2026 Liga MX Apertura. La Maquina arrive with the responsibility of defending their status as the reigning Mexican champions after winning the previous tournament, making every early-season match important as they look to secure a strong position before the league calendar becomes more demanding.

They will look to take advantage of home-field advantage and continue building confidence in their pursuit of another deep Liguilla run. With the Liga MX regular season offering limited opportunities to recover dropped points, collecting victories from the opening weeks can be crucial when playoff qualification and seeding are decided.

For Atlante, the match represents another major challenge in their return to Mexico’s top division. After spending several seasons outside Liga MX, Los Potros de Hierro are aiming to establish themselves among the country’s elite clubs again. Facing the defending champions provides an immediate test of their level and an opportunity to earn a statement result against one of the league’s biggest names.

Cruz Azul vs Atlante: Predicted Lineups

Cruz Azul (4-2-3-1): Kevin Mier; Jorge Sanchez, Willer Ditta, Jesus Orozco Chiquete, Carlos Rotondi; Erik Lira, Carlos Rodriguez; Mateusz Bogusz, Jose Paradela, Luka Romero; Gabriel Fernandez.

Atlante (5-3-2): Oscar Jiménez; Eduardo Tercero, Lucho Sanchez, Nicolas Carrera, Walter Clar, Walter Portales; Eugenio Pizzuto, Armando Escobar, Leonardo Mejia; Vladimir Moragrega, Rafael Duran.

What time is the Cruz Azul vs Atlante match?

Cruz Azul and Atlante will meet on Saturday, August 1, in a Liga MX Apertura Matchday 3 clash. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 PM ET. Below are the start times across the four major U.S. time zones:

Eastern Time (ET): 11:00 PM
Central Time (CT): 10:00 PM
Mountain Time (MT): 9:00 PM
Pacific Time (PT): 8:00 PM

How to watch Cruz Azul vs Puebla in the USA

Viewers in the United States can catch this exciting matchup through multiple viewing options. Traditional television coverage will be available on TUDN.

For those who prefer streaming, the game can be watched live on DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, and ViX across a wide range of compatible devices.

Can I watch Cruz Azul vs Puebla for free?

Soccer supporters across the United States can watch this thrilling contest live on DirecTV Stream, which is currently providing a 5-day free trial for qualified new customers.

Fans looking to follow every minute of the action can take advantage of this limited-time promotion to stream the entire game live without paying anything upfront before the trial expires.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Cruz Azul and Puebla each earned three points in their tournament openers, setting the stage for an early showdown between two unbeaten sides.

Puebla arrive with momentum after a 1-0 victory, hoping to continue their turnaround following a disappointing Clausura 2026 campaign that saw them finish near the bottom of the table.

Meanwhile, reigning Clausura champions Cruz Azul began their title defense in style by edging Atletico San Luis 3-2, reinforcing their status as one of the favorites. Expect an exciting battle that you won’t want to miss.

Cruz Azul vs Puebla: Predicted Lineups

Cruz Azul (3-4-2-1): Kevin Mier, Willer Ditta, Gonzalo Piovi, Érik Lira, Carlos Rodríguez, José Paradela, Carlos Rotondi, Agustín Palavecino, Christian Ebere, Gabriel Fernández, Luka Romero.

Puebla (4-1-4-1): Rodríguez, José Pachuca, Efraín Orona, Eduardo Navarro, Walter Portales, Álvaro Burgos, Luis Rey, Alejandro Organista, Emiliano Gómez, Edgar Guerra, Ricardo Marín.

What time is the Cruz Azul vs Puebla match?

The match kicks off today, July 21, at 9:00 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 9:00 PM
Central Time: 8:00 PM
Mountain Time: 7:00 PM
Pacific Time: 6:00 PM

The match was highly physical from the opening minutes, with constant fouls and intense battles across the field. Pumas opened the scoring through Robert Morales, while Cruz Azul controlled possession for large stretches of the game in search of the equalizer.

In the second half, Cruz Azul found the tying goal after an own goal from Ruben Duarte before continuing to pressure against a tired Pumas side that eventually went down to 10 men following Carlos Antuna’s red card. With the numerical advantage, La Maquina pushed until the very end and found the title-winning goal through Rotondi.

After the 0-0 draw in the first leg between Cruz Azul and Pumas, tension grew for both teams. While the Universitarios dream of breaking a long title drought at home, La Maquina want to lift a championship trophy once again and close out a tournament that consolidated them as one of the most solid squads in Mexican soccer. In addition to the trophy, the winner will also secure a direct ticket to the next edition of the Concacaf Champions Cup.

But the financial reward is even better, according to Marca, the championship club of Liga MX would receive a prize close to $4.1 million, equivalent to more than 70 million Mexican pesos at the current exchange rate.

What this amount of money means for Cruz Azul, Pumas

The figure represents one of the most important economic incentives in Mexican soccer and could be key to reinforcing squads, renewing contracts, or even investing in new signings heading into the Apertura 2026. It is also worth mentioning that the runner-up prize would be approximately $2 million.

In the case of Pumas, part of that money could be allocated toward special bonuses for the players, especially following the sporting and media impact generated by the arrival of Keylor Navas at the club.

For their part, Cruz Azul also contemplate significant internal rewards for the squad if they manage to crown themselves at Ciudad Universitaria. The Cementeros board considers this tournament an opportunity to consolidate the sporting project after several irregular semesters.

Everything points to a close and highly intense final. Pumas will try to take advantage of their fans‘ support and the great form of Keylor Navas, while Cruz Azul will look to impose their collective balance to conquer a title that is also worth millions both on and off the field.

Following the first leg, the fans of both teams are expecting a greater spectacle, as the initial encounter between Pumas and Cruz Azul ended without goals, meaning that tonight both the Universitarios and La Maquina will leave everything on the field.

The historical context also increases overall expectations. The Universitarios and Cementeros already know what it means to face each other in decisive stages, and recent history in the Liguilla keeps an increasingly intense rivalry alive.

What happens if Cruz Azul win vs Pumas?

If Cruz Azul win today’s match, regardless of the victory’s scoreline, they would become Liga MX champions, achieving the title they fought for until the very end. The exact result does not matter much because the first leg ended 0-0.

The Liga MX champion secures a cash prize of approximately $4.1 million. In addition, Cruz Azul would face Toluca at the Liga MX 2026 Campeon de Campeones game, which pits the 2025 Apertura champions against the 2026 Clausura winners. The match will take place on July 25 in Los Angeles.

What happens if Cruz Azul and Pumas tie?

In the Liga MX 2026 Clausura final, if the aggregate score remains tied after regulation, Cruz Azul and Pumas UNAM will play two extra time periods of 15 minutes each. If the draw persists in overtime, the teams will determine the winner from the penalty spot.

What happens if Cruz Azul lose vs Pumas?

In the event of a loss, Cruz Azul will finish as runner-up while Pumas will be crowned champions, sealing a place in the Campeon de Campeones final against Toluca on July 25.