The 2026 Leagues Cup will feature a record 36 clubs, drawing representatives from Major League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX. The competition’s structure pits teams from the two leagues against each other in a preliminary phase before moving into knockout rounds in August and September.
Expanded Format and Phase One
Each side will contest three matches in Phase One, facing opponents from the opposite league. The top four clubs from each league then progress to the knockout stage, where single‑elimination games will determine the champion.
Beyond the trophy, the tournament carries a secondary prize: the first three finishers earn berths in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup, adding an extra layer of incentive for clubs aiming to continental glory.
Messi’s Inter Miami
Among the favorites, Inter Miami stands out. The MLS side, bolstered by Lionel Messi, is chasing its second Leagues Cup crown after capturing the inaugural expanded edition in 2023.
Vancouver Whitecaps, fresh from a MLS Cup and Concacaf Champions Cup double in 2025, bring a potent attack, while Chicago Fire’s midseason acquisition of Robert Lewandowski has reignited hopes of ending a two‑decade trophy drought.
Midseason Reinforcements
Philadelphia Union, under interim manager Ryan Richter, have surged with three straight victories, driven by standout performances from Cavan Sullivan and Neil Pierre, signaling a potential dark horse run.
Cruz Azul, the most consistent Liga MX outfit across the 2025–26 Clausura and Apertura, hopes to become the first Mexican club to lift the modern Leagues Cup, a feat that would underscore the league’s growing competitiveness.
Road to the Champions Cup
The tournament also benefits from the return of key internationals. Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, both coming off Argentina’s 2026 World Cup final defeat, are expected to elevate Inter Miami’s attacking options. With the knockout rounds slated for August and September, the competition promises high stakes, dramatic matchups, and a clear pathway for clubs to secure continental qualification.