Playoff-bound FC Juarez to close 2025 Apertura against Queretaro with seeding at stake

FC Juarez aims to cap its most successful regular season yet by facing Querétaro at 6 p.m. MT at Estadio Benito Juárez. The Bravos currently hold seventh place and are guaranteed a spot in the play-in tournament starting next week, but final seeding is still up for grabs.

Liga MX Season Context

[translate: Liga MX] is Mexico’s premier soccer league, akin to the MLS in the United States but established 50 years earlier. Toluca won the 2025 Clausura, finishing in May, and goes into the final regular-season game second behind Cruz Azul.

Playoff Format

The 2025 Apertura playoff format resembles the NBA's: the top six teams qualify directly for the playoffs, while teams ranked seven through ten compete in a two-round play-in tournament to determine the final two spots in an eight-team [translate: Liguilla].

Seeding Scenarios for FC Juarez

To secure the sixth seed, Juárez must defeat Querétaro, rely on Guadalajara Chivas losing at home to Monterey on November 8, and overcome a four-goal difference in goal differential against Chivas.
If Juárez wins but does not meet these conditions, they will remain the seventh seed, hosting a home play-in game where a single victory advances them to the Liguilla.
A loss could drop Juárez as low as tenth place and into a tougher play-in position.

“The Bravos come into the game in seventh place, assured of at least making the play-in tournament that begins next week, but there is seeding at stake in the final game of the regular season.”

Author's summary: FC Juarez is poised to finalize its best regular season in history with a critical match against Querétaro, where playoff seeding depends on multiple outcomes beyond their control.

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El Paso Times — 2025-11-07