MIAMI, Florida – With the 2022 Clausura in Costa Rica recently concluded, the 22 teams for the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf League are confirmed, with Cartagines and Alajuelense the final two clubs to book their spot in the sixth edition of the tournament.
Here is the list of the 22 participating teams.
CANADA
Pacific
Pacific are the first team from the Canadian Premier League other than Forge FC to qualify for the SCL. Pacific defeated Forge in the 2021 CPL Final to qualify for the 2022 SCL, which will mark their debut in Concacaf competition.
HONDURAS
Olimpia
The Honduran giants will look to claim a second SCL title when they make their fifth appearance in the tournament. Champions of the first SCL in 2017, Olimpia qualified for the 2022 SCL by virtue of winning the 2021 Apertura in Honduran football.
Motagua
The three-time SCL finalists are back in the tournament for a fifth time after winning the 2022 Clausura championship. Runners-up in 2018, 2019 and 2021, Motagua hope the fourth time will be a charm.
Real Espana
Real Espana are back in the SCL for the first time since 2018 in what their second appearance will be. They qualified by virtue of being the non-champion with the best aggregate record in 2021-22 in Honduran football.
COSTA RICA
Herediano
The Ticos are in the tournament for a fourth time after missing out on the 2021 edition. The winners of the 2018 SCL qualified for the 2022 SCL thanks to winning the 2021 Apertura in Costa Rican football.
Cartagines
1994 Concacaf Champions Cup winners Cartagines will be making their SCL debut after winning the 2022 Clausura in Costa Rica. They are the seventh different team from Costa Rica to participate in the SCL.
Alajuelense
2020 SCL champions Alajuelense will attempt to become the first two-time champion in SCL history after qualifying as the non-champion with the best aggregate record in 2021-22 in Costa Rican football.
GUATEMALA
Malacateco
Malacateco become the sixth different team from Guatemala to qualify for the SCL after winning Guatemalan football’s 2021 Apertura, the club’s first ever domestic title. Malacateco are currently one of two teams debuting in Concacaf competition in the 2022 SCL, along with Pacific of Canada.
Comunicaciones
Reigning champions Comunicaciones will be out to defend their SCL crown in 2022 after taking home the 2022 Clausura in Guatemala. It is the fourth overall SCL appearances for the Cremas.
Municipal
Another one of Guatemala’s most decorated sides, Municipal are making their second appearance in the SCL, two years after their first in 2020. Municipal qualified as the non-champion with the best aggregate record in Guatemala football during the 2021-22 season.
PANAMA
Tauro
After three straight appearances from 2018-20, Tauro will feature in the SCL for the fourth time in 2022. The 2018 semifinalists qualified by virtue of winning the 2021 Clausura in Panamanian football.
Alianza FC
One of two Panamanian sides debuting in the SCL, Alianza punched their ticket to the tournament after winning the 2021 Apertura.
Sporting San Miguelito
Panama’s other debutant will be Sporting San Miguelito, a side that competed in the 2013-14 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League. Sporting San Miguelito became the eighth different team from Panama to qualify for the SCL as the non-champion with the best aggregate record in 2021-22.
EL SALVADOR
Alianza
Alianza qualified for a fourth consecutive SCL thanks to their title-winning campaign in El Salvador’s 2021 Apertura. Overall, it will mark the fifth appearance for Alianza in the SCL, tops among all Salvadoran clubs.
Aguila
Aguila qualified for a third SCL as the 2022 Clausura champions in El Salvador. The club will be looking to improve upon their best ever finish when they reached the quarterfinals in 2017.
Platense
Debutants Platense become the seventh different team from El Salvador to qualify for the SCL after they finished as the non-champion with the best aggregate record in 2021-22.
NICARAGUA
Diriangen
Diriangen will make it back-to-back appearances in the SCL after qualifying as the 2021 Apertura champions of Nicaraguan football. The Pinoleros will be seeking a first ever series win in what will be their third overall appearance.
Real Esteli
Real Esteli are plenty familiar with the SCL and will compete in the tournament for a fifth time. The club had the best aggregate record among non-champions in 2021-22 in Nicaraguan football.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Cibao FC
A runner-up finish at the 2022 Flow Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship resulted in Cibao qualifying for a second SCL, two years after their first appearance in 2020.
Atletico Vega Real
Atletico Vega Real became just the second team from the Dominican Republic to qualify for the SCL thanks to third third-place finish in the 2022 FCCCC.
BELIZE
Verdes FC
Verdes are back in the SCL for a third time and second consecutive after finishing the 2021-22 season in Belize as the champion with the best aggregate record.
JAMAICA
Waterhouse FC
Waterhouse qualified for a third SCL by downing 2022 Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield winners Bayamon FC of Puerto Rico in the 2022 SCL Play-Off Match.