February will see the opening phase of the 2026 Copa Libertadores and the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup get underway. While most of the continent’s heavyweights will enter later rounds, the early stages feature a group of ambitious clubs still dreaming of a deep run on the continental stage.
Three Copa Libertadores Ties Open February
The Copa Libertadores begins with three “first-stage” ties, played between February 3 and February 12, before the second stage kicks off later in the month. The opening matchups are The Strongest (Bolivia) vs Deportivo Táchira (Venezuela), Juventud (Uruguay) vs Universidad Católica (Ecuador), and 2 de Mayo (Paraguay) vs Alianza Lima (Peru).
Deportivo Táchira return to the Libertadores after a long absence. Venezuelan clubs have historically struggled in CONMEBOL competition, with the domestic league severely impacted by ongoing economic and political challenges. The Strongest will look to capitalize on their home advantage in La Paz, where altitude has long been a decisive factor. Bolivia and Venezuela remain the only two CONMEBOL nations never to produce a Libertadores finalist, and their clubs have consistently found road matches difficult.
Universidad Católica enter with confidence after winning the 2025 Copa Ecuador, the most significant trophy in the club’s history. Currently established as the fourth-strongest side in Liga Ecuabet, Católica will back themselves against Juventud, as financial constraints continue to limit depth across Uruguay’s domestic league.
Alianza Lima arrive buoyed by a statement 3–0 friendly win over Inter Miami. While domestic ambitions in Peru have repeatedly been thwarted by rivals Universitario, Alianza impressed in their most recent Libertadores campaign and will see themselves as favorites against 2 de Mayo, a club yet to claim a major domestic honor in Paraguay.
MLS Teams Open 2026 with CONCACAF Action
The 2026 MLS season has yet to kick off, but several clubs will begin their competitive campaigns through CONCACAF Champions Cup play.
This week sees San Diego FC—now entering their second season after expansion—make their continental debut against Mexican legends Pumas UNAM. The first leg will be played in San Diego before the return fixture in Mexico City.
Defending CONCACAF Cup champions Cruz Azul face Vancouver FC from the Canadian Premier League. While heavily favored, the Mexican side, enters the tournament with a reshaped squad. Mateusz Bogusz returned to MLS with the Houston Dynamo, Ángel Sepúlveda joined Chivas, and Ignacio Rivero departed for Xolos. While João Pedro has been linked from Atlético San Luis, he is not yet signed, leaving midfielder Agustín Palavecino, acquired from Necaxa, as the primary addition. Vancouver FC are a side with players that are from the second and third division of North American soccer.
Monterrey Rayados begin life without striker Germán Berterame, who moved to Inter Miami. They travel to Guatemala to face Xelajú, with new Argentine winger Luca Orellano already making an impact after debuting at the weekend for Rayados and scoring a golazo. Rayados are set to sign Atlas striker Uros Durdevic as the Berterame replacement.
Tigres UANL arrive with Diego Lainez in excellent form as he pushes for a World Cup role with El Tri. Tigres head north to Canada to take on Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League The game between Forge and Tigres is expected to be the coldest match in the history of North American football.
Can Pumas Upset San Diego?
While Liga MX sides enter the opening round as favorites across the board, San Diego FC’s matchup against Pumas UNAM would be the exception. San Diego has leaned heavily on Scandinavian talent, with Onni Valakari (Finland) arriving from Pafos in Cyprus and Osvald Søe joining from Denmark. Scottish winger Lewis Morgan has also been added to a squad that was strong in 2025 on debut.
Mexican international Hirving “Chucky” Lozano was the club’s marquee signing from Europe, but San Diego are already looking to move him on. Danish attacker Anders Dreyer, an MLS MVP candidate, has emerged as the club’s on-field leader.
Pumas, meanwhile, thrashed Santos Laguna 4–0 over the weekend as Liga MX returned, earning their first home victory in three months. Manager Efraín Juárez continues to rebuild the Mexico City side with renewed optimism. A win for Pumas in this tie would indicate Liga MX still holds advantages over MLS, but San Diego should be motivated to represent the league at home and away.
Club América’s Crisis Meets Olimpia’s Opportunity
Club Olimpia, champions of Honduras and the most famous club in the country, have a rare opportunity to test themselves against Mexico’s most successful side. The Tegucigalpa giants are two-time continental champions, lifting the CONCACAF title in 1972 and 1988, and they have previously defeated Club América in CONCACAF competition—proof that history offers them reason to believe.
Club América arrive amid significant upheaval. Allan Saint-Maximin departed the club and returned to France after citing racist abuse directed at his children, while star midfielder Álvaro Fidalgo is set to join Real Betis in La Liga as he pursues a place in Mexico’s 2026 World Cup squad. América now travel to Honduras facing an atmosphere and opponent eager to exploit their instability.
Further changes have reshaped the squad. Uruguayan striker Rodrigo “Búffalo” Aguirre has moved on to Tigres UANL. While famous Palmeiras midfielder Raphael Veiga is set to arrive and striker Henry Martín has returned to regular minutes, América have struggled badly in the final third, scoring just two goals in four Liga MX matches.
If América fail to find the net in Honduras, Olimpia will carry genuine belief—and momentum—into the return leg.
Main Photo Credit: SmartFrame Images
