The road to the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup Final is officially mapped out. Live from Miami, a made-for-TV draw unveiled the 11 Round One clashes and the full bracket for the 61st edition of the region’s premier club competition. With Vanessa Huppenkothen, Alexi Lalas, and Mariah Ramharack on the desk, and Brad Guzan plus Pavel Pardo assisting, the stage was set for the 27 participating teams.
A field loaded with continental heavyweights
This year’s competition features tournament royalty: Club América, Monterrey, defending champions Cruz Azul, MLS Cup winners Inter Miami led by Lionel Messi, and expansion side San Diego FC. Central America brings historic clubs like LD Alajuelense, Cartaginés, and Olimpia, while the Caribbean enters with Mount Pleasant FA and O&M FC.
Twenty-two clubs will battle through Round One in February 2026 across home-and-away series:
Round One: The 11 Matchups
- Pumas UNAM (MEX) vs San Diego FC (USA)
- LA Galaxy (USA) vs Sporting San Miguelito (PAN)
- Cruz Azul (MEX) vs Vancouver FC (CAN)
- CF Monterrey (MEX) vs CSD Xelajú M.C. (GUA)
- Los Angeles FC (USA) vs Real CD España (HON)
- Nashville SC (USA) vs Atlético Ottawa (CAN)
- Club América (MEX) vs Club Olimpia Deportivo (HON)
- Philadelphia Union (USA) vs Defence Force FC (TRI)
- Tigres UANL (MEX) vs Forge FC (CAN)
- FC Cincinnati (USA) vs O&M FC (DOM)
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC (CAN) vs CS Cartaginés (CRC)
Round of 16: Waiting in March
Winners will join five pre-seeded clubs. The bracket unfolds like this:
- Deportivo Toluca (MEX) vs Winner Matchup 1
- Mount Pleasant FA (JAM) vs Winner Matchup 2
- Winner Matchup 3 vs Winner Matchup 4
- LD Alajuelense (CRC) vs Winner Matchup 5
- Inter Miami (USA) vs Winner Matchup 6
- Winner Matchup 7 vs Winner Matchup 8
- Winner Matchup 9 vs Winner Matchup 10
- Seattle Sounders (USA) vs Winner Matchup 11
From there: Round of 16 in March, Quarterfinals in April, Semifinals across April–May, and the grand finale on May 30, 2026.
Must-Watch Matchup of Round One
No pairing crackles quite like:
Club América vs Olimpia.
Two giants of the region, two fanbases that travel, and a rivalry style matchup built for chaos, noise, and continental drama.
Concacaf will release the full schedule soon, but the bracket is drawn and the quest for the crown is underway.