The road to the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup continues with the high-stakes 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One, Leg 2. After intense opening matches across North and Central America, the decisive return legs are set to determine which teams will advance to the Round of 16.
For football fans in the USA and Canada, this round is particularly crucial as several MLS and CPL sides look to secure their spot on the continental stage. With the away goals rule in play, every minute of these return fixtures carries immense pressure.
The Road to Glory: 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup Tournament Format
The 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup edition features 27 of the best clubs from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. While five teams — Inter Miami CF, Columbus Crew, Pachuca, Alajuelense, and Mount Pleasant — received a bye to the Round of 16, the remaining 22 teams must battle through Round One.
Leg 2 is where the drama peaks. If the aggregate score is tied after 90 minutes of the second leg, the team with more away goals will advance. If they are still tied, the match goes into extra time and, if necessary, a penalty shootout.
Week 2: Leg 2 Schedule (February 10 – 12, 2026)
The first set of return fixtures features some of Liga MX’s giants facing off against rising North American challengers.
| Date | Matchup | Venue | Time (ET) |
| Feb 10 | Pumas UNAM vs. San Diego FC | Estadio Olímpico Universitario | 8:00 PM |
| Feb 10 | Tigres UANL vs. Forge FC | Estadio Universitario | 10:00 PM |
| Feb 11 | Club América vs. Olimpia | Estadio Ciudad de los Deportes | 8:00 PM |
| Feb 11 | CF Monterrey vs. Xelajú MC | Estadio BBVA | 10:00 PM |
| Feb 12 | Cruz Azul vs. Vancouver FC | Estadio Cuauhtémoc | 8:00 PM |
Key Matchup to Watch: All eyes will be on San Diego FC as they travel to Mexico City to face Pumas. As one of the newer entries in the competition, their performance against a historic Liga MX side is a major talking point for fans in Southern California.
Week 4: Leg 2 Schedule (February 24 – 26, 2026)
The final spots for the Round of 16 will be decided in late February, featuring a heavy presence of MLS teams.
| Date | Matchup | Venue | Time (ET) |
| Feb 24 | Nashville SC vs. Atlético Ottawa | GEODIS Park | 8:00 PM |
| Feb 24 | Los Angeles FC vs. Real España | BMO Stadium | 10:00 PM |
| Feb 25 | FC Cincinnati vs. O&M FC | TQL Stadium | 7:00 PM |
| Feb 25 | Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Cartaginés | BC Place | 9:30 PM |
| Feb 25 | LA Galaxy vs. Sporting San Miguelito | Dignity Health Sports Park | 11:30 PM |
| Feb 26 | Philadelphia Union vs. Defence Force | Subaru Park | 7:00 PM |
North American Spotlight:
The clash between Nashville SC and Atlético Ottawa is a fascinating cross-border encounter. Canadian Premier League (CPL) sides have been steadily improving, and Ottawa will be looking to pull off a massive upset on American soil. Meanwhile, LA Galaxy and LAFC will look to dominate their Central American opponents to ensure both Los Angeles giants progress.
What’s at Stake?
Winning the CONCACAF Champions Cup is the highest honor for a club in this region. Beyond the trophy, the champions earn:
- Qualification for the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
- A prestigious spot in the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
- Significant prize money and international recognition.
For teams like Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati, this tournament represents a chance to prove that MLS can consistently compete with and beat the top-tier Mexican clubs that have historically dominated this competition.
How to Watch in USA and Canada
Fans can catch all the action live. In the United States, matches are primarily broadcast on FS2 (English) and ViX (Spanish). In Canada, fans can stream the matches via OneSoccer, which provides extensive coverage of all CPL teams involved in the tournament.
As we head into these Leg 2 fixtures, the margins for error are razor-thin. Will the favorites hold their ground, or are we set for a week of historic upsets? Stay tuned as the CONCACAF kings are crowned.