The 2026 Copa Libertadores and the 2026 CONCACAF Champions League will kick off in February. While most of the continent’s heavyweights will advance to the later rounds, the early stages are characterized by a group of ambitious clubs still dreaming of making strides on the continental stage.

Three Copa Libertadores matches to start in February

The Copa Libertadores will feature three “first phase” matches from February 3 to February 12, with the second phase starting later this month. The opening games are The Strongest (Bolivia) vs Deportivo Táchira (Venezuela), Juventud (Uruguay) vs Universidad Católica (Ecuador), 2 de Mayo (Paraguay) vs Alianza Lima (Peru).

Tachiraspor returns to Libertadores after many years. Venezuelan clubs have historically struggled to compete in CONMEBOL, with the domestic league severely affected by ongoing economic and political challenges. The strongest will look to exploit their home advantage in La Paz, where altitude has long been a deciding factor. Bolivia and Venezuela remain the only two CONMEBOL nations to have never produced a Copa Libertadores finalist, and their clubs have always considered away games difficult.

Universidad Católica enters with confidence after winning the 2025 Ecuador Cup, the most important trophy in the club’s history. Currently the fourth-best team in the Ecuadorian league, Cattolica will support Juventus as financial constraints continue to limit the depth of Uruguay’s domestic league.

Alianza Lima were inspired by their 3-0 friendly win over Inter Miami. Despite having their domestic ambitions in Peru repeatedly thwarted by rivals Universitario, Alianza have impressed in recent Copa Libertadores matches and see themselves as favorites to face the club on May 2, with the club yet to claim major domestic honors in Paraguay.

MLS teams kick off 2026 season with Operation CONCACAF

The 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) season has not yet begun, but some clubs will begin their competitive campaign with the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

This week, Santiago FC (now in its second post-expansion season) makes its continental debut against Mexican legend Universidad de México. The first leg will be played in Santiago and the second in Mexico City.

Defending CONCACAF Cup champions Cruz Azul will face Vancouver FC of the Canadian Premier League. Although Mexico was heavily favored, they entered the tournament with a restructured lineup. Mateusz Bogus returns to MLS with Houston Dynamo, Ángel Sepulveda joins Chivas and Ignacio Rivero leaves for Solos. While Joao Pedro has been linked with Atletico San Luis, he is yet to sign, with midfielder Agustín Palavicino acquired from Necaxa serving as the main addition. Vancouver FC is a team that features players from the second and third tiers of North American soccer.

Monterrellados begins a new life without forward Germain Beltrame, who moved to Inter Miami. They travel to Guatemala to face Serraju, where new Argentinian winger Luca Aureliano has already made an impact after making his debut for Laados at the weekend and scoring the Golazo goal. Rayados is set to Sign Atlas Striker Uros Durdevic replaces Berterame.

Tigres UANL arrive with Diego Lainez, who is in excellent form and is pushing for a World Cup spot for the trio. Tigres traveled north to Canada to face the Forges of the Canadian Premier League. The Fudge-Tigres matchup is expected to be one of the coldest games in North American soccer history.

Can cougars disrupt San Diego?

While the Liga MX team enters the first round as overall favorites, Santiago FC’s game against Universidad de México will be an exception. Santiago relies heavily on Scandinavian talent, with Onni Valakari (Finland) joining from Paphos, Cyprus, and Osvald Søe from Denmark. Scotland winger Lewis Morgan also joins a squad that has enjoyed a strong debut in 2025.

Mexico international Hervin “Chucky” Lozano is the club’s biggest signing from Europe, but Santiago is already considering letting him leave. Danish forward Anders Dreyer is an MLS MVP candidate and has emerged as the club’s on-field leader.

Meanwhile, Cougars earned their first home win in three months on the return of Liga MX at the weekend, beating Santos Laguna 4-0. Head coach Efrain Juarez continues to rebuild the Mexico City side with a newfound optimism. A Pumas win in this game would show that Liga MX still has an advantage over MLS, but Santiago should be motivated to represent the league home and away.

Club America’s crisis meets Olympia’s opportunity

Club Olimpia, the Honduran champions and the most famous club in the country, has a rare opportunity to test their credentials against the most successful team in Mexico. The Tegucigalpa giants are two-time continental champions, having won the CONCACAF title in 1972 and 1988. They had previously beaten Club America in CONCACAF competition, and history has given them reason to believe.

Club America arrived amid major upheaval. Alain Saint-Maximin left the club and returned to France after being racially abused as a child, while star midfielder Alvaro Fidalgo is set to join Real Betis in La Liga in a bid for a place in Mexico’s 2026 World Cup squad. The United States now travels to Honduras, facing an atmosphere and an adversary eager to exploit its instability.

Further changes reshaped the team. Uruguayan forward Rodrigo “Buffalo” Aguirre has moved to Tigres Uruguayan. Despite the arrival of renowned Palmeiras midfielder Rafael Vega and the return of forward Henry Martín to regular playing time, América struggled in the final third, scoring just two goals in four Liga MX games.

If America fails to score in Honduras, Olimpia will go into the second leg with real belief and motivation.

Main photo credit: SmartFrame Images