A single-match final between the two league champions
Inter Miami and Cruz Azul will meet this Wednesday at 9 p.m. at Nu Stadium in the Campeones Cup 2026, a tournament that brings together the most recent champions of MLS and Liga MX. Inter Miami earned its place by winning MLS in 2025, while Cruz Azul qualified after being crowned in Mexican football. The final will add a new champion to the list of a competition that has been played since 2018.[S1][S2]
Unlike other international tournaments in the region, the Campeones Cup is not organized by Concacaf and does not have FIFA's endorsement. It is a competition that emerged from an agreement between Major League Soccer and Liga MX. From the MLS they explained the origin of the tournament: Campeones Cup is a title created jointly by MLS and LIGA MX in 2018. The participants do not receive an invitation for their popularity or for the stars they have in the squad: they must win their respective competitions to get there.[S2]
How Inter Miami and Cruz Azul arrive
The definition will mean the starting point for the cycle of Kily González at the head of Las Garzas. The 52-year-old coach had his first practice in charge of the squad this Tuesday and faces his fourth experience as a head coach, after his spells at Rosario Central, Unión de Santa Fe and Platense in Argentine football.[S1]
For its part, Cruz Azul arrives in the United States boasting the titles of the Clausura 2026 and the Trofeo Campeón de Campeones of Mexico, in addition to being in fourth position in the Apertura 2026. Within its squad, the Argentine José Paradela stands out as one of the main figures, adding four goals and three assists in the tournament.[S1]
Messi's moment and his history with Cruz Azul
The match will have a special motivation for Lionel Messi, who is going through a good individual moment after the 2026 World Cup. The Argentine captain has seven goals and five assists in eight games played with Inter Miami since his participation in the World Cup.[S2]
In addition, Cruz Azul occupies a particular place in Messi's history in the United States. The Mexican team was the first rival the Argentine faced with the Inter Miami shirt, in 2023, during the Leagues Cup. In that match, he had an unforgettable debut: he scored a spectacular free-kick goal at the end of the match to give Las Garzas the victory. Now they will meet again, although this time with a trophy at stake and with Leo as captain and maximum reference of the Miami team.[S2]
The list of champions since 2018
Since its creation in 2018, the cup has been divided between North American and Mexican clubs, remembering that the 2020 edition was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The champions were: Tigres UANL in 2018, Atlanta United in 2019, Columbus Crew in 2021, New York City FC in 2022, Tigres UANL in 2023, Club América in 2024 and Toluca FC in 2025.[S1][S2]
