Every MLS Team Qualified for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup

Major League Soccer will have 10 representatives in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.

The 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup field is beginning to take shape. / Jaime Lopez/Jam Media/Getty Images

The 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup picture is becoming clearer as the best teams from North and Central America look to qualify for the biggest continental competition in the region.

In total, 10 Major League Soccer teams will take part in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, by far the most of any league. Each MLS side aims to put an end to Liga MX’s dominance in the competition, with 19 of the past 20 champions coming from Mexico’s top flight.

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Cruz Azul defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps to win the competition in 2025 and will return to defend their crown next year. Vancouver will also return trying to improve on their best-ever performance in the tournament.

Apart from conquering continental glory, the winners of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup also secure a place in the 2029 Club World Cup.

Six MLS teams have already booked their tickets to next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup, with four spots still up-for grabs. Check out the full list of qualified MLS teams below.

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Every MLS Team in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup

Seattle Sounders are the only non-Liga MX side to win the Concacaf Champions Cup since 2006. / Alika Jenner/Getty Images

Team	Qualification Method
Seattle Sounders	Leagues Cup Champions
Inter Miami	Leagues Cup Runner-Up
LA Galaxy	Leagues Cup Third Place
Nashville SC	U.S. Open Cup Champions
Vancouver Whitecaps	Canadian Championship Winner
Philadelphia Union	Supporters’ Shield Winner
TBD	2025 MLS Cup Champion
TBD	Most Points, MLS Western Conference
TBD	Next Most Points in MLS Regular Season
TBD	Next Most Points in MLS Regular Season

Seattle Sounders conquered the 2025 Leagues Cup to qualify for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. Seattle won the latter back in 2022 representing MLS’s most recent triumph in the competition.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami hope to improve on their semifinal exit last time out. The Herons qualified through the Leagues Cup, finishing second-best to Seattle. The LA Galaxy, the reigning MLS champions secured the final ticket up for grabs in the Leagues Cup.

Nashville SC qualified by winning the U.S. Open Cup. They became the first professional sports team from Tennessee to win a major trophy defeating Austin FC in the final. The Vancouver Whitecaps won their fourth straight Canadian Championship to qualify.

Finally, Philadelphia Union became the latest MLS team to book their spot thanks to their recently conquered 2025 Supporters’ Shield title.

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When Does the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup Start?

Cruz Azul are the reigning Champions Cup holders. / IMAGO/ImagenShop

The draw for the 61st edition of the tournament takes place Dec. 9, 2025.

The action begins in Feb. 2026 with the opening round. The round of 16 takes place in March, the quarterfinals are scheduled for early April with the semifinals happening between the last week of April and the first week of May.

The 2026 final is scheduled for May 30, 2026, marking the last competitive match that will be played in the region before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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How Many Teams Will Participate in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup?

Lionel Messi will look to lead Inter Miami to their maiden Champions Cup title. / Rich Storry/Getty Images

The field will be made up of 27 teams. Five teams will be granted direct qualification to the round of 16 with the remaining 22 sides beginning their tournament in the opening round.

The format features a two-legged, single elimination bracket from tournament start all the way through the semifinals. The two sides that qualify for the final will play a single match.

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Every Team to Qualify for the 2026 Champions Cup So Far

Team	Country
Seattle Sounders	United States
Inter Miami	United States
LA Galaxy	United States
Nashville SC	United States
Vancouver Whitecaps	Canada
Philadelphia Union	United States
Toluca	Mexico
Club América	Mexico
Monterrey	Mexico
Cruz Azul	Mexico
Tigres	Mexico
Pumas	Mexico
LD Alajuelense	Costa Rica
Real CD España	Honduras
Club Xelajú	Guatemala
Club Olimpia	Honduras

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