FC Dallas opens its 2026 Leagues Cup campaign against Querétaro FC this Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 7:30 p.m. at Texas Health Mansfield Stadium.
Wednesday's match is the first of FCD's Leagues Cup group stage schedule which also includes Chivas de Guadalajara (Aug. 8 in San Jose, CA) and Toluca (Aug. 12 in Toluca, Mexico).
Here's everything you need to know before Wednesday's match in Mansfield.
HOW TO WATCH đŸ“º
The match will be shown in both English and Spanish on Apple TV.
Apple TV Broadcasters:
English: Christian Miles, Kacey White
Spanish: Raul Guzman, Ashley GonzĂ¡lez
HOW TO LISTEN đŸ“»
You can listen to all the action on the FC Dallas app, YouTube channel with broadcasters Ryan Figert, Steve Davis and producer Sam Hale. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. CT.
Leagues Cup Format
From LeaguesCup.com:
Leagues Cup 2026 will feature 36 clubs — all 18 LIGA MX teams and 18 qualified MLS clubs. MLS clubs are ranked according to the final 2025 MLS Supporters’ Shield standings, while LIGA MX clubs are ranked based on cumulative performance across the 2025 Apertura and Clausura tournaments.
The tournament is played in two phases:
• Phase One (August 4–13) — 54 MLS vs. LIGA MX matchups in a round-robin format
• Knockout Rounds (August 25–September 6) — a single-elimination bracket beginning with Quarterfinals and culminating in the Leagues Cup Final
Leagues Cup uses a no-ties format to ensure a winner in every match:Â
• 3 points for a regulation win
• 2 points for a penalty shootout win (after a tie)
• 1 point for a penalty shootout loss
PHASE ONE
Phase One delivers 54 MLS vs. LIGA MX matches over nine days of competition. Each club plays three matches against opponents from the opposite league.
Clubs are divided into two regions — Eastern and Western — with 18 teams each. Within each region, clubs are sorted into three tiers based on their Leagues Cup ranking:
• Tier 1: Teams ranked 1–3 from each league
• Tier 2: Teams ranked 4–6 from each league
• Tier 3: Teams ranked 7–9 from each league
The tiered regional structure ensures competitive balance and geographic alignment in Phase One.
Advancement is based on Phase One results (3 points for a regulation win, 2 for a shootout win, 1 for a shootout loss), with clubs competing within league-specific tables (MLS and LIGA MX) to reach the Knockout Rounds.
KNOCKOUT ROUNDS
The top four clubs from each league table (MLS and LIGA MX) advance directly to the Knockout Rounds. Quarterfinal pairings are seeded based on Phase One performance and follow a fixed bracket structure.
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All knockout matches are single elimination. If tied after regulation, matches proceed directly to a penalty shootout (no extra time).
Quarterfinals: Schedule for August 25–27Â
Semifinals: Scheduled for September 1–2Â
Final & Third-Place Match: September 6
The tournament concludes with both the championship match and the Third-Place Match.
COMPETITIVE STAKES
Leagues Cup awards three qualification spots to the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup:
• Champion
• Runner-up
• Third-place finisher
The Leagues Cup Champion advances directly to the Round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup, putting clubs on the pathway toward broader international competitions.
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