23MLS_Concacaf_Champions_Cup_GEN

Four of Major League Soccer's 10 slots are confirmed in Concacaf Champions Cup 2025, the 27-team continental tournament that awards a FIFA Club World Cup spot.

MLS qualifiers for 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup
TEAM
QUALIFYING METHOD
Colorado Rapids
2024 Leagues Cup third place
Columbus Crew
2024 Leagues Cup champion
LAFC
2024 Leagues Cup runner-up
Sporting Kansas City
2024 US Open Cup finalist

As Leagues Cup 2024 winners, Columbus qualify directly to the Round of 16.

How else can MLS clubs qualify?

Five more MLS clubs qualify for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup via their league performance:

  • 2024 MLS Cup presented by Audi champion
  • 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield winner
  • Two next-best finishers in 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield standings
  • Non-Supporters' Shield winning conference top seed

Canadian Championship: Additionally, the 2024 Canadian Championship winner – Vancouver Whitecaps FC or Toronto FC – will qualify for CCC. This domestic cup final is Sept. 25 at BC Place.

US Open Cup: Since LAFC qualified for CCC via the Leagues Cup pathway, Sporting Kansas City receive the US Open Cup slot. This domestic cup final is Sept. 25 at BMO Stadium.

Non-MLS teams

The tournament will feature 27 teams across North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Six LIGA MX teams are already locked in.

  • Mexico (6): Chivas Guadalajara, CF Monterrey, Club América, Cruz Azul, Pumas UNAM, Tigres UANL
  • Canadian Premier League (2): 2024 Champion & Shield Winner
  • Concacaf Caribbean Cup (3): 2024 Champion, Runner-Up, Third Place
  • Concacaf Central American Cup (6): 2024 Champion, Runner-Up, Losing Semifinalists, Play-In Winners
Overall 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup Qualifying
TEAM
QUALIFYING METHOD
COUNTRY
CF Monterrey
Best in 2023-24 LIGA MX aggregate table
Mexico
Chivas de Guadalajara
Next-best in 2023-24 LIGA MX aggregate table
Mexico
Club América
2023-24 LIGA MX Apertura & Clausura champion
Mexico
Colorado Rapids
Leagues Cup 2024 third place
USA
Columbus Crew
Leagues Cup 2024 champion
USA
Cruz Azul
2024 LIGA MX Clausura runner-up
Mexico
LAFC
Leagues Cup 2024 runner-up
USA
Pumas UNAM
Next-best in 2023-24 LIGA MX aggregate table
Mexico
Sporting Kansas City
2024 US Open Cup finalist
USA
Tigres UANL
2023 LIGA MX Apertura runner-up
Mexico

2025 format

The Concacaf Champions Cup has a direct elimination knockout stage format and contains five rounds: Round One, Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final.

The first four stages include home and away play, while the Final is a single-leg match.

Of the 27 clubs participating, 22 begin play in Round One and five receive a bye to the Round of 16.

  • Leagues Cup winner: Columbus Crew
  • MLS Cup presented by Audi winner: TBD
  • Best-performing LIGA MX champion: Club América
  • Caribbean Cup champion: TBD
  • Central American Cup champion: TBD