Atlético Ottawa, Forge FC, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Vancouver FC have been drawn against their international club counterparts for the upcoming 2026 regional champion’s tournament. These teams secured spots in the CONCACAF Champions Cup through their performances in the previous season, competing against top teams from North and Central America.
The CPL playoff champions, Atlético Ottawa, will make their cup debut against Nashville SC from Major League Soccer, featuring Canadian star Jacob Shaffelburg. Forge FC, the regular season champions, will face Tigres UNAL from Monterrey, Mexico, marking their fourth appearance in the tournament.
Vancouver FC, entering the competition for the first time based on their Canadian Championship performance, will take on defending champions Cruz Azul from Mexico City. The Vancouver Whitecaps, representing the MLS, will play against Costa Rica’s Club Sport Cartaginés following recent championship defeats. The winner of this match will advance to face the Seattle Sounders.
The opening round of the tournament, consisting of two games, is scheduled for February, with exact dates and locations for the Canadian matches yet to be announced. It is common for CPL teams to relocate to warmer venues for their matches.
Despite being considered underdogs, the CPL teams have the opportunity to cause upsets in the tournament. For instance, Cruz Azul holds the top ranking in the region. Advancing from the opening round would potentially set up the Canadian teams for challenging matchups against Mexican or MLS opponents in the subsequent stages.
Awaiting the winner of the Atlético Ottawa versus Nashville clash are Inter Miami and the legendary Lionel Messi, adding further excitement to the competition.
