The Philadelphia Union are back at last! On Wednesday, February 18th, the Boys in Blue wil play their first match of consequence of 2026, beginning their Concacaf Champions Cup campaign against Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Force.
What is Concacaf Champions Cup?
Concacaf Champion’s Cup is an continental tournament between 27 qualifying clubs from North America, Central American, and the Carribean. The Philadelphia Union are one of nine Major League Soccer teams competing in this year’s edition – they earned a spot when they lifted the 2025 Supporters’ Shield after securing the best regular season record in all of Major League Soccer.
Qualifying MLS teams
- FC Cincinnati - 2025 Supporters' Shield standings
- Inter Miami CF - 2025 MLS Cup presented by Audi winner^
- LAFC - 2025 Supporters' Shield standings
- LA Galaxy - 2025 Leagues Cup third place
- Nashville SC - 2025 US Open Cup winner
- Philadelphia Union - 2025 Supporters' Shield winner
- San Diego FC - 2025 Western Conference regular-season winner
- Seattle Sounders FC - 2025 Leagues Cup winner^
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC - 2025 Supporters' Shield standings
2026 marks the fourth time Philadelphia Union have competed in the tournament, but it’s the first time they’ve done so with 2025 Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year Bradley Carnell.
Their most recent Concacaf Champions Cup campaign was in 2024 – they fell in the quarterfinals against Liga MX’s CF Pachuca after routing Costa Rican side Deportiva Saprissa 3-2 on aggregate. In both 2021 and 2023, they advanced to the semifinals.
What’s on the line?
There’s alot on the line in this tournament – in addition to a significant purse, the winner will secure a spot in both the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
Path to the trophy
Philadelphia’s first opponent is Defence Force, a team in Trinidad and Tobago’s Premier Football League. They currently sit at the top of their table, with 36 points over their last 15 matches played. The team earned the 27th and final 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup berth on December 3rd, as the Third Place Winner in the Caribbean Cup.
Comprised of military personnel, the club is island's most successful, having won 20 national championships. Defence Force FC is the island's only team to have ever won a Concacaf club title winning back in 1978.
The tournament features home and away legs in the first four rounds, so Defence Force will make the trip to Subaru Park for another matchup on Thursday, February 26th.
Should the Boys in Blue emerge from the first round, they will take on Liga MX powerhouse Club America in the Round of 16.
