Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will face Mexican sides Atletico San Luis, Monterrey and Leon in the first phase of the 2026 Leagues Cup, which will see matches take place in Mexico for the first time.
The fourth edition of the tournament featuring clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX will be played from August 4 to September 6, starting less than three weeks after the World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, ends.
Inter Miami, Leagues Cup champions in 2023, are one of eighteen MLS clubs that will compete with eighteen Mexican sides as they attempt to bring the trophy to Mexico for the first time.
In 2024, the Columbus Crew captured the title and last year the Seattle Sounders topped Inter Miami in the final.
The 36 participants will be divided into two groups, one from MLS and one from Mexico, and the top eight will advance to the quarterfinals, with cross-league matchups in each group.
Miami will play the three games in the first phase in the brand new stadium, called Nu Stadium, which will open in April.
Messi’s team will make their debut against Atlético de San Luis on August 5, before taking on Monterrey three days later and Club León on August 12.
Of the 54 matches in the first phase, four will be played in Mexico.
Toluca will host the Seattle Sounders and FC Dallas on August 5-12. On the 11th, Tigres will host the Vancouver Whitecaps, led by German star Thomas Muller, while América will host San Diego FC at Mexico City’s iconic Azteca Stadium on a date yet to be determined.
The tournament awards three places to the 2027 CONCACAF Champions Cup, with the champion qualifying directly for the round of 16 of that competition.
Published on March 6, 2026
