MIAMI -- The LA Galaxy finally knows who its first opponent of 2026 will be after today’s Concacaf Champions Cup draw.
The LA Galaxy will face Sporting San Miguelito in the Concacaf Champions Cup as their first opponent of the 2026 season.
— El Escudero de LA (@ElEscuderoDeLA) December 10, 2025
The winner will face Mount Pleasant from Jamaica.
How do you feel about the Galaxy's first round champions matchup?
The six-time MLS Cup champions will face Panama’s Sporting San Miguelito to begin their CCC campaign, marking the first competitive matches of the new season for the G’s.
Dates and times for the high-profile fixtures have not been released, but LA’s original team could find itself in action as soon as February 3, 2026. This means the Galaxy’s first game could come as soon as seven weeks from now. It would also place this match almost three weeks before the Galaxy begins MLS play at home against NYCFC on Sunday, February 22nd.
The early fixtures on the calendar are likely to disrupt the Galaxy’s pre-season preparation, as they had previously announced they would not participate in the Coachella Valley Invitational. The pre-season exhibition series, which the Galaxy created and has run for the past four years, is unlikely to have its host present.
The Galaxy’s absence effectively means they will have no friendly matches to prepare for the season.
But it seems probable that LA won’t mind.
The Champions Cup draw was kind to the Galaxy, who avoided MLS teams like San Diego FC in the first round and instead drew San Miguelito, currently third in the Panamanian league table. Additionally, the Angelenos have what could be considered a smooth path to the quarterfinal.
The 2026 Champions Cup bracket is set! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/0mFgCTbXgD
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) December 10, 2025
Should they beat San Miguelito, the Galaxy will face Mount Pleasant FA of Jamaica. After that, however, fans could be treated to an El Tráfico quarterfinal matchup against city neighbors, LAFC.
But before the Galaxy starts sweating that matchup, they must get past San Miguelito.
After a disastrous 2025 campaign in which Greg Vanney’s team did not qualify for the postseason but qualified for the region’s continental competition via their Leagues Cup showing, the matchup against the Panamanian team represents the Galaxy’s first chance to set the ship right.
It also represents LA’s talisman, Riqui Puig’s first chance to compete in the confederation showpiece. The way he, Joseph Painstil, and Gabriel Pec combine will be integral to the Galaxy's chances of being crowned champions of Concacaf.
Steven Park - The Sporting Tribune
LA Galaxy Forward Gabriel Pec (11) leaves for the tunnel during a friendly match against Club America at Dignity Health Sports Park on November 15, 2025, in Carson, California.
And LA will need to move quickly to further fortify and build a team around Puig to compete in the tournament due to the short timetable.
The Galaxy should know within the next few days exactly how much time they have to prepare for 2026 after Concacaf releases fixture dates.
Once the Galaxy has a date, they can begin to dream of possible trophies won in 2026 as well.