The much-awaited Leagues Cup 2023 final will take place at GEODIS Park this Saturday, August 19th, and both Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC will be dreaming about obtaining its first title in club history
But the winner will get more than just the Leagues Cup trophy on Saturday night: a spot in the round of 16 in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Although both clubs already have spots in the intercontinental club tournament, the winner will have the advantage of beginning its Champion Cup journey in the round of 16 and avoiding group stage play.
Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF are relatively new MLS clubs (both entered the league in 2020) and neither have qualified for the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Earning a direct spot in the round of 16 will provide a major boost for either’s chances to win the tournament.
What are the direct qualifying spots for the round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup?
There are four additional ways for a club to get a direct route to the Champions Cup Round of 16: the Caribbean Cup, Central American Cup, MLS Cup, and LIGA MX champions will also earn direct spots.
LIGA MX side Pachuca has already earned itself a spot by winning the 2022-23 Apertura.
The dream of reaching the Club World Cup
The grand prize of winning the 2024 CCC will be a spot in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which will take place in the U.S. and include 32 clubs.
CONCACAF will fill four spots in the tournament with the winners of the last four CCC and one additional slot for the host country. CF Monterrey (2021), Seattle Sounders (2022), and Club León (2023) the the past CCL champions who have already qualified. The last slot will be filled by the 2024 CCC winner.
