PREVIEW | FC Cincinnati kickstart 2026 season in Concacaf Champions Cup opener versus O&M FC in the Dominican Republic

For the third consecutive year, FC Cincinnati embarks on its season with a match in the Concacaf Champions Cup, kicking off the 2026 competitive season against O&M FC of the Dominican Republic. The team has traveled to Santiago de los Caballeros to face the 2025 Caribbean Cup runners-up, seeking to surpass previous performances in the tournament.

A Growing Expectation

FC Cincinnati Head Coach Pat Noonan notes a shift in expectations surrounding the club’s participation. “I think now there’s an expectation to be in this competition each year, which is certainly a sign of the growth of the club,” he stated. Noonan highlighted past challenges, specifically struggling to capitalize on home-field advantage in the second leg of previous series, as areas for improvement this year.

Did You Know? FC Cincinnati has opened Concacaf Champions Cup play on the road for the past two years, securing wins against Cavalier FC in 2024 (2-0) and FC Motagua in 2025 (4-1).

Building on Experience

Midfielder Evander, who joined FC Cincinnati just days before the opening round last season, is looking to leverage a full preseason of training with the team. He emphasized the importance of focusing on each game individually, stating, “You’ve a very important game against O&M to start and you want to take this game as seriously as possible to go further in the competition.”

Road Challenges and Opponent Analysis

Despite a strong record in opening matches, FC Cincinnati faces the inherent challenges of playing unfamiliar opponents. Coach Noonan acknowledged that O&M FC has already played competitive matches while his team is just beginning its season. However, he stressed the importance of focusing on their own performance.

Expert Insight: Competing in tournaments like the Concacaf Champions Cup requires adaptability. Teams must quickly assess and adjust to opponents with whom they have limited prior knowledge, making preparation and in-game awareness crucial.

The first leg will be played on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET at Estadio Cibao Fútbol Club. The return leg will be played at TQL Stadium, giving FC Cincinnati a home-field advantage in the second match of the series.

Looking Ahead

If FC Cincinnati advances, they could face a rematch against Tigres UANL of Mexico’s Liga MX, the team that eliminated them in the same round last season. Evander expressed the team’s ambition to go further in the tournament this year, stating, “We want to play to win. You want to play to go as far as possible in the competition and, hopefully, win a trophy.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What competition is FC Cincinnati participating in?

FC Cincinnati is participating in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

Who is FC Cincinnati’s first opponent in the tournament?

FC Cincinnati’s first opponent is O&M FC of the Dominican Republic.

Where will the second leg of the series be played?

The second leg of the series will be played at TQL Stadium.

What are your predictions for FC Cincinnati’s performance in this year’s Concacaf Champions Cup?