San Diego FC hosts Pumas UNAM in historic CONCACAF Champions Cup debut

(February 2, 2026, CONCACAF Champions Cup, San Diego, United States; Photo: CONCACAF)

At Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego FC will make its debut in the CONCACAF Champions Cup by hosting Pumas UNAM in the first leg of a two-match series that could define the club’s direction in 2026. The tournament brings together the best teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, awarding the champion a place in the 2026 FIFA Club World Cup along with a five million dollar prize. For the young California club, now entering just its second season, this first continental appearance represents the “What’s next?” that head coach Mikey Varas has turned into a guiding mantra.

The opponent arrives with both history and momentum. Pumas UNAM, three-time champions of the competition, come into the matchup unbeaten in Liga MX. Their main strength lies in the experience of former Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Head coach Efraín Juárez favors a compact defensive block, strong midfield pressure, and quick transitions, a combination that makes Pumas difficult to break down and dangerous on the counter.

On the home side, there is a mix of uncertainty and excitement. San Diego FC opens its second season with a high-level test, having not yet played an official match and still fine-tuning its roster. Scottish winger Lewis Morgan, named the 2024 MLS Comeback Player of the Year, is expected to bring creativity and energy to the attack. Amahl Pellegrino aims to prove that his strong finish to the 2025 season was no coincidence. Defensively, the group featuring Luca Bombino, Chris McVey, Manu Duah, and Oscar Verhoeven remains intact and was among the best units in the league. Varas will look for his wingers and wingbacks to control possession and accelerate into counterattacks to offset the lack of match rhythm. Still, questions remain about how different this squad will look now that Hirving Lozano was not included for the tournament and the club continues to explore an exit for him.

This match will help clarify where both teams stand at this stage, and it will mark San Diego FC’s first trip outside the MLS spotlight. There is genuine excitement around the club, and the hope is that the game lives up to the expectations surrounding this historic continental debut.