As the countdown to the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup (CCC) begins, Major League Soccer (MLS) teams are gearing up for a challenging journey towards continental glory. With the opening match set for Tuesday night, San Diego FC will take on Pumas UNAM, marking their first appearance in the CCC. San Diego recently shattered expansion records with 19 wins and 63 points during their debut season, culminating in a trip to the Western Conference Final. However, the team faces some hurdles, including recent departures of key players like Chucky Lozano, midfielder Luca de la Torre, and defender Paddy McNair. Despite these challenges, their successful game model could help them navigate this tough tournament landscape.
San Diego is distinctly positioned as the only MLS club facing a LIGA MX opponent in the opening round. If they advance past Pumas, they will likely face Toluca, who are favorites in the competition, having claimed multiple titles in recent seasons. Meanwhile, other MLS teams face uncertainty in their CCC prospects. Philadelphia Union, last year’s Supporters’ Shield winners, will have a significantly altered lineup, with the absence of key players like Jakob Glesnes and Kai Wagner. The Union’s tactics continue to showcase their strength in developing new talents, but the roster’s unknowns leave some experts skeptical regarding their potential advancement in the tournament.
Los Angeles Galaxy will begin their campaign against Panama’s Sporting San Miguelito, an encounter that could set the stage for a quarterfinal showdown against Inter Miami. The Galaxy has made significant signings this offseason, including center backs Jakob Glesnes and Justin Haak, and striker João Klauss from St. Louis CITY. Nevertheless, the recent injury of star midfielder Riqui Puig raises questions about team cohesion as they prepare for the competition.
Nashville SC, which recently made headlines with the signing of winger Cristian Espinoza, faces O&M FC from the Dominican Republic in Round One. The addition of Espinoza alongside talented forwards Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge marks a significant elevating force in their attack. Nashville will be looking to overcome their struggles against Inter Miami, a team they’ve historically found difficult to beat since Lionel Messi’s arrival.
FC Cincinnati will also look to make waves in the tournament, aiming to break free of their reputation for falling short in knockout play. Against O&M FC, they’ll seek to establish a strong footing before a challenging potential matchup with Tigres, another formidable LIGA MX club.
As the CCC unfolds, each team’s journey reflects the growing competitiveness of MLS on the international stage, with hopes high for impressive performances that could redefine their legacies. Fans are eager to see if they can convert regular-season success into tournament triumph. The stage is set for an exhilarating showdown this week, with every match potentially yielding surprises in this year’s tournament.