Concacaf Champions Cup 2026: How every MLS team qualified | OneFootball

By MLSsoccer staff

Nine (9) MLS clubs will compete in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, the 27-team continental tournament that occurs from February through May 2026.

The winner secures a spot in the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup.

MLS qualifiers: 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup

^ Bye to Round of 16

Every team that qualified

FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati fell short of a trophy in 2025, though Pat Noonan's squad remained among the most competitive in MLS.

Best XI midfielder Evander (18g/15a) and club-record signing Kévin Denkey (15g/2a) proved lethal in the final third, and USMNT center back Miles Robinson kept chasing a 2026 FIFA World Cup roster spot.

Inter Miami CF

Inter Miami will compete in their third straight Concacaf Champions Cup and, as MLS Cup champions, have earned a bye to the Round of 16. They also made the Leagues Cup final in 2025.

During last campaign, Lionel Messi set an MLS record with 63 goal contributions across the regular season and Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. This winter, they'll look to replace Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets after the Spain and FC Barcelona legends retired from professional soccer.

WATCH: Inter Miami outduel Vancouver Whitecaps for first MLS Cup

Los Angeles Football Club

Son Heung-Min will make his CCC debut after joining LAFC in August on a league-record deal from English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.

The South Korean superstar tallied 12g/4a in 13 games (all competitions), striking up a dangerous partnership with three-time MLS Best XI forward Denis Bouanga.

LA Galaxy

Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig returns from an ACL injury in 2026, giving the six-time MLS Cup champions a huge boost. The Spanish midfielder missed the club's entire 2025 campaign while recovering.

Without Puig, LA's title defense fell well short. Joseph Paintsil was their top scorer with 10 goals; he helped Ghana qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Nashville SC

Nashville won their first title in 2025, securing a 2-1 victory at Austin FC in the US Open Cup final. That came during the club's first full season under head coach B.J. Callaghan.

Star attackers Sam Surridge (24g/5a) and Hany Mukhtar (16g/12a) were named MLS All-Stars alongside right back Andy Najar. Additionally, Surridge finished third in the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi race behind Messi and Bouanga.

Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia lifted their second Supporters' Shield title during the 2025 campaign, their first under Bradley Carnell. That propelled the South African manager to 2025 Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year honors.

With a development-centric club philosophy, is Union midfielder Cavan Sullivan due for a breakout year? The US youth international phenom recently starred at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

San Diego FC

San Diego make their CCC debut after a historic season. In 2025, they set expansion records for regular-season points (63) and wins (19) en route to the Western Conference Final.

Anders Dreyer was named the MLS Newcomer of the Year following 19g/19a in 34 games, while Mexican star Chucky Lozano provided 10g/9a in 27 matches.

2025 MLS Newcomer of the Year: Anders Dreyer

Seattle Sounders FC

Seattle earned a bye into the Round of 16, courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup final. That match was played before a tournament and club-record 69,314 fans at Lumen Field.

The Sounders have filled their trophy cabinet with every major piece of North American silverware on offer, and had a solid showing last summer at the FIFA Club World Cup.

WATCH: Seattle Sounders dominate Inter Miami for Leagues Cup title

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Vancouver won their fourth consecutive Canadian Championship, though technically qualified via their MLS regular-season performance.

The Whitecaps, who also made CCC and MLS Cup finals in 2025, are led by German star Thomas Müller. He contributed 9g/4a in 13 matches (all competitions) upon arriving mid-summer from Bayern Munich.

Thomas Müller thrills in Vancouver Whitecaps debut | Power Cam