4️⃣ storylines to watch for in this summer's Leagues Cup | OneFootball

Leagues Cup is back in August as North America's top teams go head-to-head for regional bragging rights. 

In an exciting twist, a select few MLS teams will have to travel south to face Liga MX teams on Mexican soil, bringing an exciting new feel to the mid-season tournament. 

Let's dig into some of the key storylines heading into the 2026 edition of the competition. 

Liga MX looks for first winner in modern format

📸 GIORGIO VIERA

Liga MX have often got the better of their MLS rivals in Concacaf Champions Cup, but MLS clubs have done well to get revenge in Leagues Cup play. Since moving to the modern format that features the majority of clubs from both leagues, MLS has produced all of the winners (Inter Miami, Columbus Crew, Seattle Sounders).

The teams from south of the border have often found it difficult to adjust to long-term stays in the United States and Canada for the tournament, but with Liga MX sides hosting some games on home soil this summer, they will surely look to play a bigger role in dictating where the trophy heads in September. 

On the flip side, MLS clubs will have to show their mettle as they travel south to play in some of the toughest environments in North American soccer. Bragging rights have just become much harder to secure! 

Old friends will meet as foes

📸 Azael Rodriguez - 2026 Getty Images

The historic rivalry between Liga MX and MLS is made even stronger as players from one league move to the other, and this summer, we've had plenty of that off-field drama to add a little more spice to the tournament.

Columbus Crew legend Diego Rossi recently made the move to Liga MX giants Monterrey after making nearly 200 appearances in MLS, and he was followed by prolific striker Hugo Cuypers, who left Chicago Fire for Monterrey just before the start of the tournament. 

Throw in star names like Brian Gutiérrez of Chivas, formerly of Chicago Fire, Julián Carranza of Necaxa, formerly of Philadelphia Union, or players who made the move the other direction, like Inter Miami's Germán Berterame (who made the jump from Monterrey himself), and you have yourself a long list of players with something to prove against their former teams and leagues.

Concacaf Champions Cup qualification on the line

📸 Alika Jenner - 2025 Getty Images

Not only are regional bragging rights on the line, but a spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup should be plenty of motivation for the competing teams to put their best foot forward. 

All of the Leagues Cup winners, runner-ups, and third-place finishers will be given an automatic berth to the 2027 edition of the Champions Cup and a chance to make a historic run in North and Central America's answer to the Champions League. 

After qualifying for the 2026 Champions Cup via the 2025 Leagues Cup, both the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders used the platform to make a run to the Champions Cup quarter-finals. 

Inter Miami look to make history

📸 Alika Jenner - 2025 Getty Images

Inter Miami are an easy pick for a favorite in any competition they find themselves in, and they will carry that tag once more in 2026. The Herons have made it to the final in two of the last three editions of the Leagues Cup, winning it back in 2023, and they will look to etch their name in the record books this season by becoming the first club to win the competition twice. 

Their MLS form has not given us any reason to doubt their ability to make a deep run in the tournament, starting off the season in a strong position to compete for the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup as they look for successive triumphs. 

Despite reaching the final in 2025, their implosion at Lumen Field against tournament winners Seattle will leave the South Florida club with a sour taste in their mouths. Lionel Messi and co. will surely be looking to right that wrong this summer.

Reignite the rivalry. Don’t miss the 2026 Leagues Cup kickoff on August 4. Watch every match live on @appletv.

📸 Alika Jenner - 2025 Getty Images