MIAMI – Round One of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup delivered top moments as the quest to crown a new champion got underway.

Here is a look at the best moments from Round One:

Epic Match of the Week kicks off with thriller in San Diego FC’s debut  

Concacaf’s Epic Match of the Week campaign got off to a flying start in the first week of the 2026 Champions Cup with a thrilling first leg encounter between San Diego FC and Pumas UNAM. The matchup, which marked San Diego’s historic debut in the competition, featured a convincing 4-1 comeback victory at home for the MLS side. 

The match saw San Diego FC become the MLS club to score the most goals in its first Champions Cup match, and just the third club in tournament history to win its first match while scoring four times against a Liga MX opponent.

Debuts for global stars in 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup

Round One saw a host of global stars make their debuts in the 2026 edition, with most of them playing in the Champions Cup for the first time, and another returning for a second edition.

Son Heung-Min made his debut playing in Honduras as LAFC visited Real España, announcing himself in style with a goal and three assists. 

German World Cup winner Thomas Müller played his first match in the competition as Vancouver Whitecaps FC visited CS Cartaginés in Costa Rica.

Argentine World Cup winner Ángel Correa presented himself as Tigres UANL visited Forge FC in Canada. Anthony Martial made his introduction by playing for CF Monterrey, both at home and on the road in Guatemala, against Xelajú.

Returning for a second consecutive campaign, Marco Reus made his first appearance in the 2026 edition with LA Galaxy against Sporting San Miguelito in Panama.

Bouanga and Romero bag first hat-tricks of the 2026 Champions Cup 

Round One featured two clinical hat-trick performances. First, Cruz Azul attacking midfielder Luka Romero scored three as the defending champions overcame Vancouver FC, 5-nil, at home in the second leg of their series.

Denis Bouanga followed with three goals in LAFC’s 6-1 victory on the road in its first leg encounter against Real España. The occasion marked the second time the Gabonese attacker scored a hat-trick in the Champions Cup, previously doing so in the 3-nil win over LD Alajuelense in the Round of 16 in 2023.

Liga MX’s Cruz Azul, Monterrey, Tigres and Club América advance past Round One unbeaten 

Four Liga MX sides won their series going unbeaten over both legs.

Tigres UANL drew nil-nil in Canada against Forge FC before claiming the series with a 4-1 triumph at home.  

Current Champions Cup winners Cruz Azul swept Vancouver FC 8-nil on aggregate, with 3-nil and 5-nil results.

CF Monterrey drew 1-1 on the road before defeating CSD Xelajú MC, 2-nil, at home in the second leg. 

Club América defeated CD Olimpia, 2-1, in Honduras before playing out a goalless stalemate in the return fixture. 

LAFC and LA Galaxy to battle against reigning Central American Cup and Caribbean Cup champions

After booking tickets for the next round, California clubs Los Angeles FC and LA Galaxy are both set to meet defending regional champions in the Round of 16. LAFC will clash against reigning three-time Concacaf Central American Cup winners LD Alajuelense, while LA Galaxy will take on Concacaf Caribbean Cup Winners Mount Pleasant FA.

Introductions for four debutants 

Round One presented the introduction of four Champions Cup debutants: San Diego FC, Vancouver FC, Atlético Ottawa and O&M FC. Notably, San Diego booked a ticket for the next phase and will continue its journey facing Liga MX champions Deportivo Toluca FC in the Round of 16. 

The Round of 16 will feature another debut as 2025 Concacaf Caribbean Cup Champions Mount Pleasant FA makes its first appearance in the Concacaf Champions Cup.