2026 Concacaf Champions Cup: Debutant clubs | OneFootball

MIAMI – The 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup is set to kick off with five teams making their tournament debuts. 

This will be the 61st edition of the region’s premier club competition and will run from February through the end of May.

Here are the debutants. 

San Diego FC (United States)

The 2025 MLS expansion club will get its first taste of the tournament when it hosts Mexico’s Pumas UNAM in the opening round on February 3. 

San Diego booked its spot after finishing first in the Western Conference with 63 points during the 2025 MLS season. 

One of the standout teams of the most recent MLS campaign, San Diego took the league by storm and set various records in its inaugural year. 

SDFC becomes the first MLS team to make its tournament debut since FC Cincinnati and St. Louis CITY SC did in 2023. 

Vancouver FC (Canada)

Vancouver FC will make its tournament debut when it hosts reigning Champions Cup winners Cruz Azul on February 4. 

The Canadian Premier League club qualified by finishing as runners-up in the 2025 Canadian Championship. 

Vancouver Whitecaps FC, which won the Canadian Championship tournament, also qualified to the CCC through one of the MLS berths – deferring the Canadian Championship spot to Vancouver FC.

Atlético Ottawa (Canada)

Atlético Ottawa will take on Nashville SC in its first tournament appearance on February 17.

The Canadian Premier League side booked its spot in the competition by winning the 2025 CPL title. Atlético Ottawa defeated Cavalry FC 2-1 in extra time after a stunning bicycle kick goal by David Rodríguez in the 107’ in a memorable snowy encounter.

The club will be the 10th from Canada to participate in the tournament.

O&M FC (Dominican Republic)

Universidad O&M FC will open the tournament against FC Cincinnati on February 18 in the first leg of their opening round series. 

The Dominican club qualified for Champions Cup as a finalist in the 2025 Caribbean Cup. 

Mount Pleasant FA (Jamaica) 

Concacaf Caribbean Cup winners Mount Pleasant FA will make its tournament debut in the Round of 16 against the winner of the series between the LA Galaxy and Sporting San Miguelito.

Mount Pleasant FA defeated Universidad O&M FC 3-2 on aggregate in the 2025 Concacaf Caribbean Cup Final, securing their first-round bye in the Champions Cup.