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 champions Cruz Azul face Vancouver FC in a direct rematch of the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup final, a series Cruz Azul won comfortably. The Mexican side, however, 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 reached the MLS Cup final last season and have an excellent squad.
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.
Club América enter the tournament amid turmoil. Allan Saint-Maximin departed the club and returned to France after citing racist abuse directed at his children. Star midfielder Álvaro Fidalgo is also set to join Real Betis in La Liga as he looks to secure a place in Mexico’s 2026 World Cup squad. América will travel to Honduras to face Olimpia, one of Central America’s most storied clubs.
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.
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 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.
Hirving “Chucky” Lozano was the club’s marquee signing, 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 against Mexico’s most successful side. Olimpia are two-time continental champions, lifting the CONCACAF title in 1972 and 1988 and they have beaten America in the CONCACAF competition before.
Club América’s squad has changed rapidly from the team that won three Liga MX titles not long ago. Álvaro Fidalgo—now eligible to represent Mexico at the 2026 World Cup—is headed to Real Betis, Uruguayan striker Rodrigo “Búffalo” Aguirre has moved to Tigres UANL, and Allan Saint-Maximin has departed for France. While Palmeiras midfielder Raphael Veiga is arriving and striker Henry Martín has returned to regular minutes, América have struggled badly in attack, scoring just two goals in four Liga MX matches.
Failure to score in Honduras for América would give Olimpia genuine hope heading into the return leg.
Main Photo Credit: SmartFrame Images
