The 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup is set to be one of the most competitive editions in recent years.
Fresh from their MLS Cup triumph, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami have publicly declared their intention to add a piece of continental silverware to the club’s ever-growing trophy cabinet.
Thomas Müller will now be able to play in the competition, boosting Vancouver Whitecaps’ efforts to avenge their humbling loss in the 2025 final to Cruz Azul, who are trying to become the first team in a decade to defend this title.
Club América were the last side to achieve that feat and will be hopeful of adding another confederation crown to their swollen stack, while fellow Mexican giants Monterrey will attempt to triumph even without Sergio Ramos.
The competition doesn’t get underway until February next year but every club learned their prospective routes to the final at December’s draw. That protracted event was co-hosted by former U.S. men’s national team defender Alexi Lalas, who struck a bizarre mix of wild enthusiasm and undisguised disdain all played to the backdrop of defiant confusion.
“Really?” Lalas asked after accurately stating that this was a straight knockout tournament. “You guys asked me to read it, so it must be true!”
For those hoping to be a little less confused than Lalas, here’s everything you need to know about the tournament’s schedule.
2026 Schedule
| Round | First Leg Dates | Second Leg Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Round One | Feb. 3–5, Feb. 17–19 | Feb. 10–12, Feb. 24–26 |
| Round of 16 | March 10–12 | March 17–19 |
| Quarterfinals | April 7–9 | April 14–16 |
| Semifinals | April 28–30 | May 5–7 |
| Final | May 30 | N/A |
Round One
| Round One Matchup Number | Team 1 | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pumas UNAM | San Diego FC |
| 2 | LA Galaxy | Sporting SM |
| 3 | Cruz Azul | Vancouver FC |
| 4 | Monterrey | CSD Xelajú |
| 5 | LAFC | Real España |
| 6 | Nashville | Atlético Ottawa |
| 7 | Club América | Olimpia |
| 8 | Philadelphia Union | Defence Force |
| 9 | Tigres UANL | Forge FC |
| 10 | FC Cincinnati | O&M FC |
| 11 | Vancouver Whitecaps | CS Cartaginés |
Round of 16
| Round of 16 Matchup Number | Team 1 | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toluca | Pumas UNAM or San Diego FC |
| 2 | Mount Pleasant | LA Galaxy or Sporting SM |
| 3 | Cruz Azul or Vancouver FC | Monterrey or CSD Xelajú |
| 4 | LD Alajuelense | LAFC or Real España |
| 5 | Inter Miami | Nashville or Atlético Ottawa |
| 6 | Club América or Olimpia | Philadelphia Union or Defence Force |
| 7 | Tigres UANL or Forge FC | FC Cincinnati or O&M FC |
| 8 | Seattle Sounders | Vancouver Whitecaps or CS Cartaginés |
Quarterfinals
| Quarterfinal Matchup Number | Team 1 | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winner R16 1 | Winner R16 2 |
| 2 | Winner R16 3 | Winner R16 4 |
| 3 | Winner R16 5 | Winner R16 6 |
| 4 | Winner R16 7 | Winner R16 8 |
Semifinals
| Semifinal Matchup Number | Team 1 | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winner QF 1 | Winner QF 2 |
| 2 | Winner QF 3 | Winner QF 4 |
Final
| Date | Team 1 | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|
| May 30, 2026 | Winner SF 1 | Winner SF 2 |
READ THE LATEST SOCCER NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND MATCH REACTION
This article was originally published on www.si.com as 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup: Full List of Matches.
