FC Juárez vs. Puebla: Everything You Need to Know for Liga MX Apertura 2026 Kickoff

The Big Match Is Back!

The doors of the Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez open once again on July 17 to welcome Matchday 1 of the Apertura 2026 tournament of Liga MX (Liga MX is Mexico’s top professional soccer league).

On this day, FC Juárez plays against Puebla to close out a triple-header of games (that just means three big matches happening around the same time).

• Tiba Sepúlveda and the Bravos (that’s FC Juárez’s nickname) want to show they are a serious team that can win the championship.
• They will use the heat of playing at home (their fans cheering them on) to make a strong statement.
• But they face a renewed Puebla team (the "Franja") that is hungry to win.
• We’ll also look at game times, live TV channels, and the #RushBet predictions (a sports betting brand’s guess on outcomes).

How Are FC Juárez and Puebla Doing?

Let’s look at how both teams finished their last tournament:

FC Juárez (The Bravos)

• Coached by Pedro Caixinha.
• They missed the Liguilla of CL 2026 (the playoff stage that decides the champion).
• Their record: only 5 wins, 4 ties, and 8 losses, leaving them stuck in 12th place.
• New players joining for Apertura 2026: Haret Ortega, Gilberto Sepúlveda, Lucas Romero, Juan Sigala, and Said Godínez.

Puebla (The Franja)

• A very different story: under coach Albert Espigares, they ended in 17th place.
• One of their worst seasons ever: just 3 wins, 4 ties, and 10 losses.
• New coach Gerardo Espinoza wants to bring Puebla’s glory days back.
• New signings include Lucas Camilo, Sergio Sanabria, and 8 other new players.

Important: FC Juárez had a so-so last season (12th), while Puebla had one of its worst ever (17th). Both have added new players to try to do better now!

What Time Is FC Juárez vs. Puebla Today?

Here are the simple details:

• Date: Friday, July 17, 2026
• Time: 9:00 PM (Central Mexico time)
• Venue: Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez, in Chihuahua (CHI)

Where to Watch FC Juárez vs. Puebla LIVE?

You have a few ways to catch the game:

• TV channels: Azteca 7, FOX
• Streaming (watch on your device): Azteca Deportes (website and app), FOX One
• Live minute-by-minute updates: mediotiempo (a sports website)

Match Stats Picture

There is a stats image for FC Juárez vs. Club Puebla on Matchday 1 of the Apertura 2026 Liga MX tournament showing how the teams compare. (You can find it on the original Mediotiempo article.)

Predictions (#RushBet)

#RushBet brings the best sports betting numbers. The odds (these are like little numbers that show who is favored to win) for FC Juárez vs. Puebla are:

1. FC Juárez: -159 (favored to win)
2. Tie: +295
3. Club Puebla: +380

Important: Odds change all the time, both before and during the match!

There is also a video preview of the match available on the original page (via YouTube).

Summary

To wrap it up: On July 17, 2026 at 9 PM, FC Juárez hosts Puebla at the Estadio Olímpico Benito Juárez for the first match of Liga MX’s Apertura 2026. Juárez wants to prove itself at home; Puebla wants a fresh start after a bad season. You can watch on Azteca 7, FOX, or stream via Azteca Deportes and FOX One. Betting odds from #RushBet favor Juárez, but they can change!

FAQ

1. What is the Apertura 2026 tournament?
It is the first part of the Liga MX (Mexico’s top soccer league) season in 2026, where teams play to reach the playoffs and win the title.

2. Why is playing at home a big deal for FC Juárez?
Because their fans fill the stadium and create a “hot” (exciting and supportive) environment that can help the team play better.

3. What does “Liguilla” mean?
It is the playoff round at the end of the regular season where the best teams fight for the championship. Juárez missed it last time.

4. Can I watch the game for free online?
You can use Azteca Deportes’ website or app for streaming, and get live text updates from mediotiempo. Some options like FOX One may need a subscription.

5. Do the betting odds guarantee who wins?
No! Odds from #RushBet are just predictions and they keep changing before and during the game.