MLS Makes History: All 30 Teams Secure Spots in 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup

The 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup landscape is taking shape as top clubs from North and Central America compete to secure spots in the region's premier continental tournament.

A total of 10 Major League Soccer clubs will participate in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, representing the highest number from any single league. Each MLS franchise hopes to break Liga MX's stranglehold on the tournament, as Mexican teams have claimed 19 of the last 20 titles.

Cruz Azul triumphed over Vancouver Whitecaps to capture the 2025 championship and will return as defending champions next season. Vancouver will also be back, seeking to build upon their finest tournament showing to date.

Beyond achieving continental supremacy, the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup victors will also earn qualification for the 2029 Club World Cup.

Six MLS clubs have already secured their places in next year's Concacaf Champions Cup, leaving four positions still available. See the complete roster of qualified MLS teams listed below.

Every MLS Team in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup

Seattle Sounders claimed the 2025 Leagues Cup title to earn their spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. Seattle previously won this tournament in 2022, marking MLS's latest victory in the competition.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami aim to surpass their previous semifinal appearance. The Herons earned qualification through the Leagues Cup as runners-up to Seattle. LA Galaxy, the current MLS champions, secured the final available Leagues Cup berth.

Nashville SC earned their place by capturing the U.S. Open Cup title. They made history as Tennessee's first professional sports franchise to win a major championship, defeating Austin FC in the final. Vancouver Whitecaps claimed their fourth consecutive Canadian Championship for qualification.

Lastly, Philadelphia Union became the most recent MLS side to secure their position after claiming the 2025 Supporters' Shield championship.

When Does the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup Start?

The tournament draw for the 61st edition is scheduled for Dec. 9, 2025.

Competition commences in Feb. 2026 with the initial round. The round of 16 occurs in March, quarterfinals are set for early April, with semifinals taking place between late April and early May.

The 2026 championship match is slated for May 30, 2026, representing the final competitive fixture in the region before the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins.

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

The tournament will feature 27 participating clubs. Five teams will receive automatic advancement to the round of 16, while the other 22 clubs will start their campaign in the opening round.

The structure consists of two-legged, knockout matches from the tournament's beginning through the semifinals. The two finalists will compete in a single decisive game.

Every Team to Qualify for the 2026 Champions Cup So Far