Forge FC Face Tigres UANL As Concacaf Champions Cup Begins

The stage is set and anticipation is building as the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, the 61st edition of the region’s premier club championship, gets underway. Fans across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean are bracing for another thrilling tournament, and all eyes are on the opening clash: Forge FC hosting Tigres UANL in the first leg of their Round One series at Hamilton Stadium in Ontario, Canada, on February 3, 2026.

This year’s tournament brings together the best clubs from across the continent, each with dreams of lifting the coveted trophy. For Forge FC, this is more than just another match—it’s a chance to make history. The Canadian side is still searching for its first-ever victory in the Concacaf Champions Cup, and what better way to start than against a powerhouse like Tigres UANL?

Forge FC’s previous Champions Cup experiences have all come against Mexican opposition, but Tuesday’s encounter marks the first time they’ll square off with Tigres. The challenge is formidable: Tigres UANL has a rich tradition in this tournament, and their roster is stacked with talent and experience. Still, Forge’s supporters are hopeful—could this be the moment their team finally breaks through?

Tigres UANL, on the other hand, is no stranger to Canadian competition. In the 2024 edition, they faced the Vancouver Whitecaps in the tournament’s First Round and emerged victorious with a convincing 4-1 aggregate score. Goals from André-Pierre Gignac, Luis Quiñones, Ozziel Herrera, and Juan Pablo Vigón powered the Mexican side, while Damir Kreilach provided the lone tally for Vancouver. That series also produced the first and only draw for Tigres against a Canadian club—a 1-1 result on February 7, 2024—showing that the gap between these leagues might be narrowing.

Looking back further, the only Canadian team to have ever eliminated Tigres from the Concacaf Champions Cup is Toronto FC. In a memorable 2018 quarterfinal, Toronto advanced after a 4-4 aggregate draw, thanks to the away goals rule. The second leg, played on March 13, 2018, saw Toronto lose 3-2 but still progress to the semifinals. Jozy Altidore and Jonathan Osorio scored in the first leg for Toronto, while Rafa Carioca’s own goal and Sebastián Giovinco’s strike in the second leg added to their tally. For Tigres, Eduardo Vargas netted in both legs, and André-Pierre Gignac bagged a brace in the second leg. That dramatic tie is a reminder that anything can happen in this competition.

Tigres UANL’s ambitions this year are clear: win the Champions Cup again and cement their place among the region’s elite. They already have one title to their name, having defeated Los Angeles FC 2-1 in the 2020 final. Should they lift the trophy again, they would become the ninth Mexican club to win the tournament more than once—a feat that would further burnish their legacy.

The second leg of the Forge FC versus Tigres UANL series is set for February 10 at the intimidating Estadio Universitario in San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico. The pressure will be on Forge to capitalize on their home advantage in the opener, as few teams manage to get a result in Tigres’ fortress.

Beyond the immediate drama of this Round One matchup, the Champions Cup is also a showcase for the tournament’s legendary figures and record-breakers. Since the 2008/09 edition, the competition has seen some remarkable achievements. Javier Orozco stands atop the all-time scoring charts with 24 goals, achieved while playing for Cruz Azul and Santos Laguna. Orozco’s prowess is legendary—he also holds the record for most goals in a single edition, netting 11 times during the 2010/11 campaign, even though his Cruz Azul side fell in the semifinals to eventual champions Monterrey.

Other prolific scorers include Darwin Quintero with 23 goals and Oribe Peralta with 22, both of whom have represented Club América and Santos Laguna. André-Pierre Gignac, the current Tigres talisman, is not far behind with 20 goals. Gignac’s ability to deliver in big matches is well known—he’s a player Forge FC will be watching closely.

Records aren’t just about goals. The youngest scorer in tournament history, Darixon Vuelto, found the net at just 15 years, 9 months, and 8 days old in the 2013/14 edition. Emanuel Villa holds the distinction for most goals in a single match, scoring five for Querétaro FC. Javier Orozco’s four hat-tricks set another benchmark, while the likes of Oribe Peralta, Juan Ignacio Dinenno, André-Pierre Gignac, and Darwin Quintero have each notched four braces in the competition.

Consistency is another hallmark of Champions Cup greatness. Rodríguez and Nava both enjoyed five-match scoring runs, tallying seven goals apiece—Rodríguez even managed a hat-trick, while Nava registered two braces during his streak.

Playmaking and goalkeeping have their heroes, too. Carlos Darwin Quintero leads all assist providers with 13, followed closely by Rubens Sambueza (12), Alejandro Vela (11), Luis Quiñones (10), and Oribe Peralta (9). Between the posts, Nahuel Guzmán has been a rock for Tigres UANL, amassing a tournament-best 127 saves, with Jonathan Orozco following at 102.

When it comes to appearances, Javier Aquino is the iron man of the Champions Cup, having played 50 times for Cruz Azul and Tigres UANL. Nahuel Guzmán is right behind with 48, while Oribe Peralta (47), Julio César Domínguez (46), and Darwin Quintero (46) round out the top five. The youngest player to ever step onto the pitch in this competition? Ismael Díaz, who debuted for Tauro FC at just 15 years, 4 months, and 7 days old in 2012.

With the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup about to kick off, the tournament’s rich history and the promise of new legends loom large. Can Forge FC write their own chapter by toppling Tigres UANL, or will the Mexican giants continue their march toward another title? The first leg at Hamilton Stadium will set the tone, and with the second leg looming in Mexico, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

As fans pack the stands and millions more tune in across the continent, the excitement is palpable. The quest for glory begins now, and if history is any guide, the Champions Cup will once again deliver unforgettable moments, record-breaking feats, and the kind of drama that only football can provide.