Four Canadian clubs learn 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup opponents

The historic four Canadian clubs competing in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup learned their round one matchups on Thursday night during the tournament draw. 

It is the first time four Canadian teams have qualified: four-peat TELUS Canadian Champions, the Vancouver Whitecaps, Canadian Premier League champions Atlético Ottawa, CPL Shield winners Forge FC and Canadian Championship runners-up Vancouver FC. 

The Whitecaps, who were the runners-up in last year's tournament, begin their road to redemption in Costa Rica for a second consecutive year, where they take on Cartaginés. Win that, and they advance to face Cascadia rivals, the Seattle Sounders, in the Round of 16. 

CPL Champions Atlético Ottawa make their tournament debut against Canadian men's national team attacker Jacob Shaffelburg and Nashville SC. There is a significant carrot for the winner, who will take on Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.  

Also making their first continental appearance, Vancouver FC get a baptism by fire as they drew seven-time, and defending, Concacaf Champions Cup winners Cruz Azul. The LigaMX side defeated the Whitecaps 5-0 in the 2025 final. 

Finally, after meeting Cruz Azul, Chivas Guadalajara and CF Monterrey in past editions, it's another Liga MX giant drawn for Forge in their fourth Concacaf Champions Cup appearance as they take on Tigres UNAL. 

The tournament kicks off on February 3, with a full schedule and dates for the home-and-away round one to be released soon.