Cruz Azul is never just about a soccer game. If you’ve followed Liga MX for more than five minutes, you know this club is essentially a massive, high-budget telenovela that occasionally involves a ball. People used to talk about the "curse" like it was actual science. For 23 years, they found ways to lose that defied the laws of physics and logic. But honestly, that’s not the story anymore.
Today, in early 2026, the vibe around La Máquina is different. It’s messier, more nomadic, and weirdly hopeful. If you're looking for the team that won the ninth star back in 2021, they’re mostly gone. The 2025 season was a fever dream—a coaching carousel, a Concacaf Champions Cup trophy, and a sudden exit by Martín Anselmi that left fans feeling like they’d been ghosted by a soulmate. Now, under Nicolás Larcamón, the club is trying to figure out who they are while literally not having a permanent place to sleep.
The Stadium Circus: Why Cruz Azul is Playing in Puebla
Right now, the biggest headache for the fans isn't the midfield—it's the GPS. Because of the massive renovations at the Estadio Azteca for the 2026 World Cup (which is basically around the corner), Cruz Azul has become a team of wanderers. They spent 2025 at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, but that deal soured.
So, here we are in the Clausura 2026, and the team is hosting "home" games at the Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla. That’s a 70-mile trek for the die-hards in Mexico City. It’s not ideal. Larcamón has already been vocal about the pitch conditions in Puebla being... let's just say "less than world-class." There’s a lot of chatter about the team finally returning to the Azteca by the end of this tournament, but until that ribbon is cut, they’re essentially the most famous homeless team in North America.
The Larcamón Era: Can He Actually Fix This?
When Martín Anselmi bailed for Botafogo in Brazil at the end of 2025, it hurt. He had a specific 3-4-2-1 system that made Cruz Azul look like a well-oiled machine again. Enter Nicolás Larcamón. If you remember his time at Puebla or León, you know he loves high-intensity, "heavy metal" soccer.
But the roster he inherited for this 2026 campaign is undergoing a massive facelift. Look at the departures:
- Lorenzo Faravelli: The brain of the midfield.
- Nacho Rivero: The heart, soul, and captain.
- Ángel Sepúlveda: The guy who basically carried the scoring load in 2025.
Replacing that much veteran leadership in one window is a nightmare. Larcamón is leaning heavily on Kevin Mier in goal—who might be the best keeper in the league right now—and the Argentine Carlos Rotondi. There’s also a lot of pressure on Luka Romero, the young spark who needs to prove he’s more than just "the guy who debuted early in La Liga."
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What Most People Get Wrong About the "Cruzazulear" Myth
You still hear the word Cruzazulear every time a team blows a lead in the 90th minute. It’s basically Mexican slang for "choking." But if you actually watch the games in 2026, that tag is lazy. The team that lost those finals in 2013 or 2018 is dead.
The real issue now isn't a "curse"—it's stability. The cooperative that owns the club, Cooperativa La Cruz Azul, has had more internal drama than a boardroom thriller. When the front office is stable, the team wins. When the directors start fighting over cement contracts and leadership roles, the team finishes 12th. Right now, Sporting Director Iván Alonso is trying to keep the sporting side insulated from the corporate noise, but it's Cruz Azul. Noise is part of the brand.
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Key Players to Watch in 2026
If you're tuning in this season, these are the names that actually move the needle:
- Kevin Mier: His distribution is insane. He’s basically an extra midfielder who happens to wear gloves.
- Giorgos Giakoumakis: The Greek striker needs to be the clinical finisher they’ve lacked since Santi Giménez left for Europe. He’s got the physical presence, but he needs service.
- Charly Rodríguez: When he’s on, the whole team flows. When he disappears, the midfield becomes a black hole.
Why This Matters for the 2026 World Cup
You might wonder why a club team's stadium drama matters for the World Cup. It’s because the Estadio Azteca is the crown jewel of the tournament. The fact that Cruz Azul (and América) have been kicked out for two years shows how much work is being done to modernize that "Coloso de Santa Úrsula." Every goal Cruz Azul scores in Puebla is a reminder of the countdown to the World Cup opener.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the team this year, stop looking at the historical "curse" and start looking at the travel fatigue. Playing home games in Puebla while training in Mexico City is a physical grind that shows up in the 70th minute of matches.
- Watch the line-ups: Larcamón is still tinkering. If he sticks to a back four, they look vulnerable on the counter.
- Monitor the transfer market: Botafogo is still sniffing around Willer Ditta and Rotondi. If those two leave mid-season, the defensive structure will collapse.
- Check the Azteca updates: The moment they announce a firm return date to Mexico City, buy your tickets. The atmospheric shift of playing back in the capital will likely trigger a massive "bump" in their betting odds and performance.
Cruz Azul is currently a work in progress, but they remain the most fascinating study in resilience in Latin American sports. They aren't just a soccer team; they're a test of faith for millions of people who have seen every possible way a game can end and still show up the next weekend. Keep an eye on the mid-February fixtures; that's when we'll see if Larcamón’s system has actually taken root or if this is going to be another "transition year" in a long line of them.
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The best way to track their progress is to follow the official Liga MX injury reports and stadium announcements. Because with Cruz Azul, the news off the pitch is usually just as important as the score on it.