Nashville SC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC qualify for 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup | OneFootball

MIAMI – The 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup continues to take shape with Nashville SC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC securing their qualification through domestic cup success on Wednesday.

Nashville SC qualified for its second appearance and first since the 2024 edition. Vancouver Whitecaps FC will make its sixth appearance overall and returns after a runners-up finish in 2025.

U.S. Open Cup Final: Nashville SC 2, Austin FC 1

Nashville SC earned a 2-1 victory over Austin FC in the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final on Wednesday at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, USA.

Hany Mukhtar opened the scoring in the 17’ with a masterful finish inside the box.

After being denied on a penalty attempt to tie earlier in the first half, Myrto Uzuni equalized in the 45’+1’ to revive hopes for the home fans.

Sam Surridge struck from the penalty spot in the 60’ for what ended as the match-winning goal, before exiting the match on a red card in the 90’+7’.

The victory delivered Nashville SC’s first major trophy and qualified the club for a second Champions Cup appearance. Nashville previously qualified as runners-up in the 2024 Leagues Cup.

Nashville head coach B.J. Callaghan collected his first trophy as a club manager. Callaghan previously led the United States to the 2022/23 Concacaf Nations League trophy as the interim coach.

Canadian Championship Final: Vancouver Whitecaps FC 4, Vancouver FC 2

Vancouver Whitecaps FC won 4-2 against Vancouver FC in the 2026 Canadian Championship Final on Wednesday at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Ali Ahmed opened the scoring in the 5’ with a left-footed finish to the right-side netting

Thomas Müller converted from the penalty spot in the 10’ to extend the lead for the hosts.

Elage Bah cut the deficit for the visitors in the 35’, meeting a through ball in the box from former Whitecap Nicolás Mezquida.

Ahmed collected his brace in the 36’ to quickly restore the Whitecaps FC two-goal advantage.

Ryan Gauld scored in the 83’ as he made his first appearance since being sidelined in league play last March.

Mezquida struck a laser against his former club in the 85’ to cut the deficit once more for the Canadian Premier League side.

For the fifth time, and fourth consecutive, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC won the Canadian Championship.

The victory marks the first club trophy for Jesper Sørensen, who led Whitecaps FC earlier this year to the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Final.

Additionally, Thomas Müller became the most decorated German player with 35 major trophies and reached 300 goals for club and country.