Mexico's Liga MX Femenil having impact at Women's World Cup - ESPN

When Liga MX Femenil was created in 2016, a goal was to build on the consecutive appearances of Mexico's women's national team at the 2011 and 2015 Women's World Cup tournaments. It's ironic, to say the least, that El Tri did not qualify for the 2019 tournament nor the 2023 edition. However, thanks in large part to the league, women's soccer is growing both in Mexico and abroad, a fact clearly visible on this year's World Cup rosters.

No other league whose home country didn't make the World Cup sent more players to the tournament than Liga MX Femenil. Nine players across five countries suited up for Mexican clubs last season before earning their call-up. The biggest name on that list by far is Spain forward Jennifer Hermoso, who plays for Club Pachuca. Though foreign players were allowed to sign with the league in 2021, Hermoso's deal a year later signified a willingness to make blockbuster signings and make Mexico an attractive destination for other notable players around the world.

Beyond the promise of robust salaries for stars, the league's growing commitment to present a polished product stands out as a major selling point.

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«One of the things [Liga MX Femenil] has is organization like I've never seen anywhere else,» Hermoso told ESPN Mexico in December. «Compared to Spain, this league is much more organized. In Mexico, you play in these perfect stadiums, whereas in Spain sometimes you still play on fields.»

While Hermoso, who placed second in the vote for the 2021 Women's Ballon d'Or, is undoubtedly the biggest star, the league has excelled in bringing worldwide talent in its quest to gain notoriety quickly and attempt to find a spot among the sport's