MIAMI, Florida – The field for the inaugural Central American Cup is complete, with 20 teams from the region securing a berth in the 2023 tournament.
The Central American Cup is the new method of qualification for the newly expanded Concacaf Champions League in 2024, which will feature the four quarterfinal winners from the 2023 Central American Cup and the winners from two play-in rounds.
Among the teams earning qualification in the final weeks of the season in Central America were Xelaju MC of Guatemala, CD Universitario of Panama, Verdes FC of Belize and Jocoro FC of El Salvador.
Below is the complete list of teams qualified for the 2023 Central American Cup:
COSTA RICA
Saprissa
Three-time Concacaf champions and 2019 Concacaf League winners Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica will attempt to try to win a third different Concacaf trophy after winning the 2022 Apertura and 2023 Clausura in Costa Rican football.
Alajuelense
Two-time Concacaf champions and 2020 Concacaf League winners Alajuelense will also be targeting another piece of Concacaf hardware for their trophy cabinet. Alajuelense qualified by having one of the best aggregate records among non-champions during the 2022-23 Costa Rican season.
Herediano
2018 Concacaf League champions Herediano will be trying to qualify for a 10th Champions League. Herediano qualified by having one of the best aggregate records among non-champions during the 2022-23 Costa Rican season.
Cartagines
1994 Concacaf champions Cartagines will be seeking their first Champions League berth since the 2013-14 edition. Cartagines qualified by having one of the best aggregate records among non-champions during the 2022-23 Costa Rican season.
EL SALVADOR
Due to incidents that occurred in El Salvador on May 20, 2023, the Federation and National League made the decision not to continue the 2022-23 season. Given this, a new classification criteria was approved by Concacaf and is as follows:
- 2022 Apertura Champion, in place one.
- 2022 Apertura runner-up, in place two.
- The Team with the highest number of points in the accumulated table of the 2022-23 Apertura and Clausura regular season, in place three.
FAS
Past Concacaf champions FAS (1979) will be seeking their first Champions League appearance since the 2014-15 edition. FAS appeared in three editions of the Concacaf League (2018, 2020, 2021). FAS qualified as champions of the 2022 Apertura.
Jocoro FC
Jocoro will be participating in Concacaf competition for the first time after qualifying as runners-up in the 2022 Apertura.
Aguila
The 1976 Concacaf champions have qualified for Concacaf competition for the second year in a row (2022 Concacaf League) and will be targeting a second Champions League qualification (2012-13). Aguila qualified by having the most points in the accumulated table during the 2022 Apertura and 2023 Clausura.
GUATEMALA
Coban Imperial
Coban Imperial will make their first appearance in international competition since the 2004 UNCAF Interclub Cup. Coban Imperial qualified as champions of the 2022 Apertura.
Xelaju
Xelaju emerged as champions of the 2023 Clausura in Guatemala to secure their berth in the Central American Cup. They previously competed in the 1997 Concacaf Champions Cup and reached the semifinals of the 2012-13 Concacaf Champions League.
Comunicaciones
Former Concacaf champions (1978) and 2021 Concacaf League winners Comunicaciones will seek a new Concacaf trophy in the Central American Cup. Comunicaciones qualified as non-champions with the highest aggregate regular season points across both competitions.
HONDURAS
Olimpia
The only two-time champions of the Concacaf League and former Concacaf winners Olimpia will try to become the first ever Central American Cup champion and qualify for a record 14th Champions League. Olimpia qualified as champions of the 2022 Apertura and the 2023 Clausura.
Motagua
Three-time Concacaf League runners-up Motagua have their sights set on a third straight Champions League qualification. Motagua qualified by having one of the best aggregate records among non-champions during the 2022-23 Honduran season.
Olancho FC
Olancho will be making their first foray into international competition and will try to become the seventh different team from Honduras to qualify for the Champions League. Olancho qualified by having one of the best aggregate records among non-champions during the 2022-23 Honduran season.
Real España
Real Espana made a heralded return to the Champions League in 2023 and now will attempt to qualify for the tournament for a fifth time. Real Espana qualified by having one of the best aggregate records among non-champions during the 2022-23 Honduran season.
NICARAGUA
Real Esteli
Real Esteli are no strangers to Concacaf competition, with seven previous Champions League berths and five Concacaf League appearances. Real Esteli qualified as champions of the 2022 Apertura and 2023 Clausura.
Diriangen
Diriangen are in Concacaf competition for a third consecutive season and are hoping to qualify for a first ever Champions League. Diriangen qualified by having the best aggregate record among non-champions during the 2022-23 Nicaraguan season.
PANAMA
CAI
CAI return to Concacaf competition for the first time since the 2021 Concacaf League. Their lone Champions League appearance came in 2019. CAI qualified as champions of the 2022 Apertura and 2023 Clausura in Panama.
Sporting San Miguelito
Sporting San Miguelito are back again in Concacaf competition for a second straight year after playing in the 2022 Concacaf League. They competed in the Champions League in 2013-14. Sporting San Miguelito qualified by having one of the best aggregate records among non-champions during the 2022-23 Panamanian season.
CD Universitario
CD Universitario are back in Concacaf competition for the first time since the 2021 Concacaf League. CD Universitario qualified by having one of the best aggregate records among non-champions during the 2022-23 Panamanian season.
BELIZE
Verdes FC
Verdes are in Concacaf competition for a fourth straight year after appearing in the 2020, 2021 and 2022 Concacaf League. The club also appeared in eight editions of the Concacaf Champions Cup and made two appearances in the Concacaf Champions League. Verdes qualified as champions of the 2022 Opening and 2023 Closing seasons.
