At the conclusion of the 2025 MLS Season, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were crowned champions. In the final season for both Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, Inter Miami were unstoppable in the MLS playoffs, winning 4-0 against Cincinnati, 5-1 against New York City FC, and 3-1 against Thomas Muller and Vancouver with Messi’s Argentine teammate Rodrigo De Paul, a midseason signing from Atletico Madrid, scoring the match winner. It’s Messi’s first MLS Cup, and now he will aim (once again) for his first CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Inter Miami’s Concacaf Cup Path
The 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup draw was set this month, the double leg knockout tournament almost always ends up as another opportunity for Liga MX and MLS to face off, in addition to the Leagues Cup. As the two financially strongest and deepest leagues in North America, it’s usually a collision course.
Inter Miami get direct passage into the last 16 of the tournament and will likely face their MLS rivals Nashville SC (who they beat in this year’s MLS playoffs) in that phase. That limits the travel burden for Inter Miami and they would be favored in the matchup. Nashville SC first faces Atletico Ottawa from Canada’s lower tier domestic league the CPL.
Tigres Aims for CONCACAF Glory
The most compelling team in Inter Miami’s section is Tigres UANL, the Liga MX finalist (and possible champion) fell to Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup. Tigres has to face Forge FC from Canada, before the Monterrey, Mexico based club that features Messi’s Argentine teammate Angel Correa, and other Argentines, Juan Brunetta and veteran goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman, as key players would play FC Cincinnati from MLS or O&M from the Dominican Republic.
Thomas Muller’s Vancouver Whitecaps, the defending CONCACAF Champions Cup finalists, face Cartagines from Costa Rica before taking on Seattle Sounders in the round of 16.
Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami vs Club America Possible In The Quarterfinals
Inter Miami would face Club America, Mexico’s most decorated club, but a club that is enduring a bit of a dry spell in terms of success, in the last 8 if America can defeat Honduras famous Club Olimpia, and either Philadelphia Union or T&T’s Defence Force. Union were a fantastic regular season MLS club and can’t be discounted. A trip to Mexico City would be challenging for Inter Miami, but ultimately, they would probably be favored to win the series over Alejandro Zendejas Club America.
Can San Diego FC Continue the Expansion Magic
San Diego FC finished a strong maiden season as a football club, they finished first in the Western Conference table before a 3-1 defeat against Whitecaps in the Western Conference final. They will take on Pumas UNAM in round 1 of their maiden CONCACAF Champions Cup appearance. Pumas has struggled in Liga MX lately, and SDFC would be favored. It doesn’t get easier in round 2 however, Liga MX defending champions (and current finalist) Toluca are seeded into the round of 16. La Galaxy are expected to defeat Panama’s Sporting San Miguelito and Jamaica’s Mount Pleasant to reach the quarterfinals opposite either SDFC, Pumas, or Toluca.
Costa Rica’s Alajuelense were given a bye into the round of 16, but would face Heung-Min Son’s LAFC at that point, assuming LAFC can defeat Honduras Real Espana in round 1. Also in this section are defending champions Cruz Azul (who take on CPL side Vancouver FC), Guatemala’s Xelaju, and Liga MX’s Monterrey who have a strong history in this tournament but have struggled in recent editions. A Cruz Azul vs Monterrey clash looks compelling in the round of 16, while LAFC is arguably good enough to reach the quarterfinals.
2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Projected Quarterfinals
Toluca vs LA Galaxy
Cruz Azul vs LAFC
Inter Miami vs Club America
Tigres vs Vancouver Whitecaps
If these are the results, it’s possible the semifinal could be all MLS or all Liga MX. The upcoming CONCACAF Champions Cup promises to feature more stars and more excitement than in past seasons.
Main Photo Credit: Image Courtesy CONCACAF Champions Cup
