Tigres UANL Face Forge FC In Chilly Champions Cup Opener

The 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup burst into action Tuesday night as Forge FC welcomed Mexican powerhouse Tigres UANL to a chilly Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario, for a first-ever official meeting between the two clubs. The first leg of this highly anticipated first-round tie saw both sides eager to set the tone for their respective campaigns in North America’s premier club competition.

While Tigres arrived as clear favorites—armed with international pedigree, a recent league victory, and a roster brimming with experience—Forge FC looked to capitalize on home advantage, hoping the cold Canadian air and a raucous crowd could help them spring a surprise. The stakes couldn’t be higher: a spot in the knockout rounds beckons, and both teams knew that a strong start could make all the difference before the return leg in Mexico.

Kickoff was set for 7:00 PM Eastern Time (6:00 PM Central Mexico time), with fans tuning in across North America. U.S. viewers caught the action on DirecTV Stream, TUDN, Fox Sports 2, and ViX Premium, while Canadian supporters tuned in via OneSoccer. Mexican fans had their pick of Fox Sports Premium, FOX+, and FOX One, ensuring the match reached a broad international audience.

For Tigres, the match marked their return to continental competition after a solid run in the Liga MX 2026 Clausura. The team had already played four league matches this year, earning two wins (including a recent 2-1 triumph over Club León), a draw, and a loss—placing them seventh in the Mexican standings with seven points. That win over León, courtesy of goals from Marcelo Flores and Diego Lainez, seemed to steady the ship after a rocky start to the season. The squad’s blend of seasoned veterans and fresh faces had pundits tipping Tigres as one of the tournament favorites.

Forge FC, meanwhile, entered the fray at a different rhythm. Their last competitive outing was back in November 2025, when they lost in the Canadian Premier League final. The club’s 2026 domestic campaign won’t kick off until April, meaning Tuesday’s match was their first competitive fixture in nearly three months. To address gaps in the roster and shake off the rust, Forge made some late moves in the transfer market. Congolese international goalkeeper Dimitry Bertaud (ex-Montpellier) and French central defender Antoine Batisse were signed as emergency reinforcements, while star winger Nana Ampomah was unfortunately sidelined due to visa complications. Head coach Bobby Smyrniotis placed his trust in midfield stalwart Kyle Bekker, hoping his leadership could anchor a determined Forge lineup.

Both teams fielded strong starting elevens. For Tigres, Nahuel Guzmán took up his usual spot between the posts, with a backline of Jesús Garza, Joaquim, Juanjo Purata, and Osvaldo Rodríguez. Fernando Gorriaran and Zwarg anchored the midfield, while Ozziel Herrera, Juan Brunetta, and Diego Lainez provided creative spark behind the ever-dangerous André-Pierre Gignac. Notably, Gignac—who confirmed his commitment to the club for the semester—started despite speculation that the frigid weather might see him used as a substitute.

Forge FC lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Bertaud in goal, Malcolm Duncan, Batisse, Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson, and Garven Metusala in defense; Bekker and Noah Jensen as holding midfielders; David Choinière, Tristan Borges, and Beni Badibanga supporting striker Terran Campbell. The absence of Ampomah was a blow, but the home side hoped their defensive organization and intensity would keep them in the tie.

The match itself was billed as a classic clash of contrasts: Tigres, with their rhythm and continental experience, versus Forge, fresh from a long layoff but buoyed by home support and a synthetic pitch unfamiliar to many of the visitors. The weather, hovering near freezing, added another unpredictable element. As one local columnist put it, "The cold night and continental lights make for a magical stage—Forge FC will need every ounce of energy to keep up with the Mexican giants."

Historically, Tigres have had mixed results against Canadian opposition. They eliminated Vancouver Whitecaps in 2024, but memories of a dramatic away-goals loss to Toronto FC in 2018 linger. Forge, for their part, have faced Liga MX titans like Cruz Azul and Chivas in previous editions of the Champions Cup but have never managed to advance past a Mexican opponent.

In the build-up, bookmakers made Tigres strong favorites, listing them at -164 to win, with Forge at +450 and a draw at +285. Yet, as Forge’s supporters know, anything can happen under the Hamilton floodlights. The club’s official social media teased, "You ready for this, @TigresOficial?"—a nod to the underdog spirit that’s defined Forge’s rise in Canadian soccer.

For Tigres, the tie also marked a new era. The squad underwent significant changes in the offseason, with veterans like Javier Aquino, Diego Reyes, and Rafael Carioca departing. In their place, the club introduced new signings such as Uruguayan midfielder César Araújo, aiming to blend experience with youthful exuberance. The match was also a continental debut for several players, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the lineup choices.

As the match unfolded, both teams looked to impose their style. Tigres pressed with their trademark intensity, seeking an early away goal to tilt the tie in their favor. Forge, meanwhile, relied on disciplined defending and quick transitions, hoping to catch the visitors off guard. The synthetic turf and biting wind made for tricky conditions, but the players adapted admirably, with both sides carving out chances in a tense, hard-fought first half.

With the tie delicately poised, the atmosphere inside Tim Hortons Field was electric. Forge’s supporters, bundled in scarves and parkas, roared their team on, while a vocal contingent of Tigres fans made their presence felt. The broadcast teams noted the "contrast in competitive rhythm," with Forge shaking off the cobwebs and Tigres looking to turn their Liga MX form into continental dominance.

As the final whistle approached, neither side could claim a decisive advantage. The action remains ongoing, with the second leg in Mexico promising more drama. For now, Tigres will be satisfied to have weathered the Canadian storm, while Forge can take heart from a resilient display against one of the region’s true heavyweights.

All eyes now turn to the return leg, where the battle for a place in the knockout rounds will be settled. With everything still to play for, this first-round clash is shaping up to be one of the early highlights of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.