The Caribbean region is set to benefit from the restructuring of the CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) as well as an individual regional cup in the Caribbean.
From 2023 onwards, three regional cup competitions (North America, Central America, Caribbean) will be played, and clubs will qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League. Following the conclusion of the three cups, a newly expanded CCL of 27 clubs will take place.
CONCACAF President and FIFA Vice-president Victor Montagliani said, “This is a hugely significant development for Concacaf and for leagues and clubs in our region. The CCL has consistently grown in recent years and this new format will provide a major boost to the competition. Working collaboratively with our stakeholders we have been able to create a new calendar which grows and enhances our Champions League and fully incorporates regional cup competitions.”
Montagliani continued, “This will elevate clubs and leagues from Concacaf and provide even more compelling regional rivalries. It will also provide more international relevance to our club competitions, and a very competitive pathway as clubs strive to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup and succeed on the global stage.”
This new format of regional cups will allow for the three regions to crown their own champion, prior to the CCL which will see clubs compete to win the Confederation’s club title and qualify to the FIFA Club World Cup.
For the Caribbean, three clubs (Winner, 2nd, and 3rd) from the Caribbean Cup will qualify for the CCL. The Caribbean Cup will include a group stage and then a knockout Stage. The ten participating clubs in the Caribbean Cup will be determined via domestic league play for the professional Caribbean Leagues and the new CFU Cup.
The Caribbean will have two representatives in Round One of the CCL (2nd and 3rd placed clubs) while the Caribbean Cup Champion will be seeded in the Round of 16.
Until 2023, the CCL will continue as current with the direct elimination knockout stage format composing of five rounds (round one, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and final). The first four stages will include home and away play, while the Final, will be played as a single-leg match.
