2026 Champions Cup Qualifiers [R]

Welp... Orlando drew the short straw

Both Florida teams had a rough time of it on the West Coast, as LA Galaxy grabbed the Leagues Cup's last continental berth on offer and Seattle grabbed yet another title to hop, skip, jump (and box ) their way to the Round of 16!

2026 Champions Cup Qualifiers

1. CF Monterrey [MEX3]
2. Club América [MEX2]
3. Cruz Azul [MEX4]
4. Toluca FC [MEX1]
5. Tigres UANL [MEX5]
6. Pumas UNAM [MEX6]
7. Inter Miami [MLS1 or LC2]
8. Seattle Sounders [LC1]
9. LA Galaxy [MLS1 or LC3]

 

We have our national cup finalists in the US and Canada: Vancouver reigns supreme up north, as the Whitecaps and Vancouver FC will contest the Voyageurs' Cup, while Austin and Nashville will do the honors Stateside. Both matches will take place on October 1... right in the middle of the Central American Cup quarterfinals and after the Caribbean group stage wraps up. Plenty of continental tickets are up for grabs next week!

 

Concacaf specifically addresses this scenario in the Champions Cup regulations: the Canadian Championship runner-up would get the hand-me-down, just like SKC did last year in the Open Cup.

Just one more outlier still in the hunt: LAFC have four games left on their schedule, so Philly aren't 100-percent in just yet.

Defending bicampeones Liga, OTOH, are back after a textbook cup-savvy performance in Honduras, punishing Motagua's attempts to grind the game to a halt with an injury-time series winner to advance to the Central American semifinals on away goals.

2026 Champions Cup Qualifiers

1. CF Monterrey [MEX3]
2. Club América [MEX2]
3. Cruz Azul [MEX4]
4. Toluca FC [MEX1]
5. Tigres UANL [MEX5]
6. Pumas UNAM [MEX6]
7. Inter Miami [MLS1 or LC2]
8. Seattle Sounders [LC1]
9. LA Galaxy [MLS1 or LC3]
10. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM1 or CRC1]

 

So, one extraordinarily busy week for me later, and there's plenty to catch up on.

NORTH AMERICA

Vancouver Whitecaps and Nashville SC took home their respective national cups in midweek, while Philly joined the trophy party with the Supporters' Shield. Cincinnati could grab a further continental berth tomorrow if LAFC drop points in their make-up game against Toronto.

CENTRAL AMERICA

Are you not entertained?

Only Olimpia enjoyed smooth sailing, while the rest of the Central American quarterfinals all came down to last-minute series winners, Xelajú's the pick of the lot

¡Así se jugarán las Semifinales de la Copa Centroamericana 2025! 🏆

Conoce los detalles aquí: https://t.co/tFt0s1brH4 👈 pic.twitter.com/kFhTrIXGpX

— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) October 4, 2025

CARIBBEAN

The group stage concluded last week, with an upcoming all-Dominican semifinal guaranteeing us that the Champions Cup will return to Hispañola next year:

Caribbean Cup Semifinal Matchups and Schedule Confirmed! 🗓️✅https://t.co/MGJcPQP7jO 🔗

— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) October 2, 2025

2026 Champions Cup Qualifiers

1. CF Monterrey [MEX3]
2. Club América [MEX2]
3. Cruz Azul [MEX4]
4. Toluca FC [MEX1]
5. Tigres UANL [MEX5]
6. Pumas UNAM [MEX6]
7. Inter Miami [MLS1 or LC2]
8. Seattle Sounders [LC1]
9. LA Galaxy [MLS1 or LC3]
10. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM1 or CRC1]
11. Real España [CENTAM1, HON1 or HON2]
12. Nashville SC [MLS1 or USOC]
13. Vancouver Whitecaps [MLS1 or CAN]
14. Xelajú MC [CENTAM1 or GUA1]
15. Olimpia [CENTAM1, HON1 or HON2]
16. Philadelphia Union [MLS1 or MLS2]

 

So, I forgot MLS plays through the international break...

But we have more qualifiers to report! LAFC losing at Austin on Sunday confirmed that Vancouver and Cincinnati will grab Champions Cup berths through the MLS regular season, the former thus handing off the Voyageurs' Cup ticket to beaten finalists (and CanPL basement dwellers ) Vancouver FC.

2026 Champions Cup Qualifiers

1. CF Monterrey [MEX3]
2. Club América [MEX2]
3. Cruz Azul [MEX4]
4. Toluca FC [MEX1]
5. Tigres UANL [MEX5]
6. Pumas UNAM [MEX6]
7. Inter Miami [MLS1 or LC2]
8. Seattle Sounders [LC1]
9. LA Galaxy [MLS1 or LC3]
10. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM1 or CRC1]
11. Real España [CENTAM1, HON1 or HON2]
12. Nashville SC [MLS1 or USOC]
13. Vancouver Whitecaps [MLS1, MLS3, MLS4, or MLS5]
14. Xelajú MC [CENTAM1 or GUA1]
15. Olimpia [CENTAM1, HON1 or HON2]
16. Philadelphia Union [MLS1 or MLS2]
17. FC Cincinnati [MLS1, MLS3, MLS4 or MLS5]
18. Vancouver FC [CAN]

 

Some more results to report up north:

MLS's Decision Day proved one more affirmation of expansion side San Diego's meteoric rise in the league, as Chucky Lozano's team grabbed a continental berth by topping the Western table.

Far less surprising is CPL hegemon Forge securing yet another addition to their trophy cabinet, taking first place in the regular season.

2026 Champions Cup Qualifiers

1. CF Monterrey [MEX3]
2. Club América [MEX2]
3. Cruz Azul [MEX4]
4. Toluca FC [MEX1]
5. Tigres UANL [MEX5]
6. Pumas UNAM [MEX6]
7. Inter Miami [MLS1 or LC2]
8. Seattle Sounders [LC1]
9. LA Galaxy [MLS1 or LC3]
10. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM1 or CRC1]
11. Real España [CENTAM1, HON1 or HON2]
12. Nashville SC [MLS1 or USOC]
13. Vancouver Whitecaps [MLS1, MLS4 or MLS5]
14. Xelajú MC [CENTAM1 or GUA1]
15. Olimpia [CENTAM1, HON1 or HON2]
16. Philadelphia Union [MLS1 or MLS2]
17. FC Cincinnati [MLS1, MLS3 or MLS4]
18. Vancouver FC [CAN]
19. Forge FC [CPL1 or CPL2]
20. San Diego FC [MLS1, MLS2 or MLS3]

 

And to think that Motagua were only minutes away from the Central American semifinals... Yet another impotent outing in front of goal sees them bow out from the continental stage at the hands of a resilient Cartago - who, IIRC, return to the Champions Cup for the first time since Concacaf established the current regional qualifying system.

2026 Champions Cup Qualifiers

1. CF Monterrey [MEX3]
2. Club América [MEX2]
3. Cruz Azul [MEX4]
4. Toluca FC [MEX1]
5. Tigres UANL [MEX5]
6. Pumas UNAM [MEX6]
7. Inter Miami [MLS1 or LC2]
8. Seattle Sounders [LC1]
9. LA Galaxy [MLS1 or LC3]
10. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM1 or CRC1]
11. Real España [CENTAM1, HON1 or HON2]
12. Nashville SC [MLS1 or USOC]
13. Vancouver Whitecaps [MLS1, MLS4 or MLS5]
14. Xelajú MC [CENTAM1 or GUA1]
15. Olimpia [CENTAM1, HON1 or HON2]
16. Philadelphia Union [MLS1 or MLS2]
17. FC Cincinnati [MLS1, MLS3 or MLS4]
18. Vancouver FC [CAN]
19. Forge FC [CPL1 or CPL2]
20. San Diego FC [MLS1, MLS2 or MLS3]
21. Cartaginés [CRC2]

 

An even bigger disappointment: as the only team to advance from the group stage with a perfect record, Plaza Amador went from consideration among the favorites to win the Central American Cup to not even extending their continental campaign into the spring, falling at the hands of humble domestic opponents San Miguelito.

2026 Champions Cup Qualifiers

1. CF Monterrey [MEX3]
2. Club América [MEX2]
3. Cruz Azul [MEX4]
4. Toluca FC [MEX1]
5. Tigres UANL [MEX5]
6. Pumas UNAM [MEX6]
7. Inter Miami [MLS1 or LC2]
8. Seattle Sounders [LC1]
9. LA Galaxy [MLS1 or LC3]
10. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM1 or CRC1]
11. Real España [HON1 or HON2]
12. Nashville SC [MLS1 or USOC]
13. Vancouver Whitecaps [MLS1, MLS4 or MLS5]
14. Xelajú MC [CENTAM1 or GUA1]
15. Olimpia [CENTAM1, HON1 or HON2]
16. Philadelphia Union [MLS1 or MLS2]
17. FC Cincinnati [MLS1, MLS3 or MLS4]
18. Vancouver FC [CAN]
19. Forge FC [CPL1 or CPL2]
20. San Diego FC [MLS1, MLS2 or MLS3]
21. Cartaginés [CRC2]
22. Sporting San Miguelito [PAN1]

 

And we have our first side in from the islands! Not a great surprise, considering the thumping meted out to Defence Force in the first leg, but Jamaica's Mt. Pleasant advance to the Caribbean Cup Final despite losing 0-1 at home.

I would be remiss if I didn't also mention the Canadian Premier League culminating with the Final this weekend (available on FOX Sports 2 here in the States):

We're four days away from the biggest night of the #CanPL season 🏆@atletiOttawa ⚔️ @CPLCavalryFC

Find your seats: https://t.co/zagXoJlI6j#CanPL #CPLFinal #RiseToTheNorth pic.twitter.com/J483x7pcxu

— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) November 5, 2025

2026 Champions Cup Qualifiers

1. CF Monterrey [MEX3]
2. Club América [MEX2]
3. Cruz Azul [MEX4]
4. Toluca FC [MEX1]
5. Tigres UANL [MEX5]
6. Pumas UNAM [MEX6]
7. Inter Miami [MLS1 or LC2]
8. Seattle Sounders [LC1]
9. LA Galaxy [LC3]
10. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM1 or CRC1]
11. Real España [HON2]
12. Nashville SC [MLS1 or USOC]
13. Vancouver Whitecaps [MLS1, MLS4 or MLS5]
14. Xelajú MC [CENTAM1 or GUA1]
15. Olimpia [HON1]
16. Philadelphia Union [MLS1 or MLS2]
17. FC Cincinnati [MLS1, MLS3 or MLS4]
18. Vancouver FC [CAN]
19. Forge FC [CPL2]
20. San Diego FC [MLS1, MLS2 or MLS3]
21. Cartaginés [CRC2]
22. Sporting San Miguelito [PAN1]
23. Mount Pleasant FA [CFU1 or JAM1]

 

And we have another debutant!

Come for the golazo at 2:45...



... stay for quintessentially Dominican celebration caught by the field mic at 3:00

2026 Champions Cup Qualifiers

1. CF Monterrey [MEX3]
2. Club América [MEX2]
3. Cruz Azul [MEX4]
4. Toluca FC [MEX1]
5. Tigres UANL [MEX5]
6. Pumas UNAM [MEX6]
7. Inter Miami [MLS1 or LC2]
8. Seattle Sounders [LC1]
9. LA Galaxy [LC3]
10. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM1 or CRC1]
11. Real España [HON2]
12. Nashville SC [MLS1 or USOC]
13. Vancouver Whitecaps [MLS1, MLS4 or MLS5]
14. Xelajú MC [CENTAM1 or GUA1]
15. Olimpia [HON1]
16. Philadelphia Union [MLS1 or MLS2]
17. FC Cincinnati [MLS1, MLS3 or MLS4]
18. Vancouver FC [CAN]
19. Forge FC [CPL2]
20. San Diego FC [MLS1, MLS2 or MLS3]
21. Cartaginés [CRC2]
22. Sporting San Miguelito [PAN1]
23. Mount Pleasant FA [CFU1 or JAM1]
24. O&M FC [CFU1 or DOM1]

 

Stop what you're doing and watch David Rodríguez playing out of his mind in last night's Canadian Premier League Final

WHAT. A. GOAL. 🤯

ATLETICO OTTAWA TIE THE GAME ON AN ABSOLUTELY INSANE BICYCLE KICK IN THE SNOW ❄️😱#CPL pic.twitter.com/A4lZW15ENb

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 9, 2025

GOAL 🦖🦖

DAVID RODRIGUEZ SCORES AND @atletiOttawa HAVE THE LEAD IN EXTRA TIME!! 🔥🔥

🔴 Watch the #CanPL final LIVE on OneSoccer, TSN & FuboTV pic.twitter.com/IXD0NGe6sc

— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) November 10, 2025

And with that, we have another debutant on the continental stage!

South of the 49th, after the controversial best-of-3 opening stage in the MLS playoffs proper wrapped up last night, we have our quarterf- I mean, conference semifinalists

The Conference semifinal lineup is set 🍿 pic.twitter.com/qVBc7VRoMs

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 10, 2025

Given that the five best teams in the full-year standings have reached this round, all of them with a Champions Cup ticket already in hand, the hand-me-down scenarios have been greatly simplified:

Minnesota and NYCFC are playing for themselves. Anyone else winning the league hands the last berth to LAFC

2026 Champions Cup Qualifiers

1. CF Monterrey [MEX3]
2. Club América [MEX2]
3. Cruz Azul [MEX4]
4. Toluca FC [MEX1]
5. Tigres UANL [MEX5]
6. Pumas UNAM [MEX6]
7. Inter Miami [MLS1 or LC2]
8. Seattle Sounders [LC1]
9. LA Galaxy [LC3]
10. LD Alajuelense [CENTAM1 or CRC1]
11. Real España [HON2]
12. Nashville SC [USOC]
13. Vancouver Whitecaps [MLS1, MLS4 or MLS5]
14. Xelajú MC [CENTAM1 or GUA1]
15. Olimpia [HON1]
16. Philadelphia Union [MLS1 or MLS2]
17. FC Cincinnati [MLS1, MLS3 or MLS4]
18. Vancouver FC [CAN]
19. Forge FC [CPL2]
20. San Diego FC [MLS1, MLS2 or MLS3]
21. Cartaginés [CRC2]
22. Sporting San Miguelito [PAN1]
23. Mount Pleasant FA [CFU1 or JAM1]
24. O&M FC [CFU1 or DOM1]
25. Atlético Ottawa [CPL1]