2024 Leagues Cup group stage

In each of the 15 groups, teams played against each other in a round-robin format. The top two teams of each group advanced to the round of 32.^[2]

Besides the teams receiving byes, the top 15 remaining teams from each league were placed into groups in reverse order (for example, the 2nd-ranked MLS club was drawn against the 16th-ranked Liga MX club). The remaining teams (13 MLS and 2 Liga MX) were drawn into groups and divided into geographical regions.^[3]

Teams were ranked according to points (3 points for a win in regulation, 2 points for a win in a penalty shoot-out, 1 point for a loss in a penalty shoot-out, 0 points for a loss in regulation).^[2] If, at the end of the group stage, two or more clubs were tied in points, their positions in the table was determined according to a set of tie-breaking criteria.^[4]

1. In case only two teams were tied on points, the direct head-to-head match result between the tied clubs determined the ranking (for clarity, a victory on penalties was considered a win for purposes of this tiebreaker);
2. In case three teams were tied on points, the following criteria applied:
   1. Better overall goal differential between goals scored and goals conceded during the group stage;
   2. Greater number of goals scored during the group stage;
   3. Fewer number of goals conceded during the group stage;
   4. Clubs' fair-play table
      • First yellow card: –1 point
      • Second yellow card (indirect red card): –3 points (The first yellow card was not considered)
      • Direct red card: –3 points
      • Yellow card followed by a direct red card: –4 points;
   5. A draw organized by the organizing committee.