The date and time for the Concachampions 2022 draw is revealed: Cruz Azul and NYCFC, the first confirmed

The date and time of the draw for the Concachampions 2022 was revealed and to no one's surprise, the first teams confirmed for this edition are Cruz Azul and NYCFC. 

With the victory of the American Cityzens in MLS over the Portland Timbers, the list of teams that will clash in this tournament to find out which is the best league in the confederation was defined. 

Although the tournament will begin in February 2022, CONCACAF is already making all the preparations for its top club competition. 

When and at what time will be the draw to define the groups for the Concachampions 2022

The draw to define the round of 16 of the competition will take place next Wednesday, December 15 in Miami, Florida, at 5:00 p.m. central time and the first crossings of the tournament will be defined. 

The draw for the next rounds of the tournament will also be announced for the teams from the 7 countries that will fight for the crown in the highest club competition of the confederation. 

Which teams will compete in the 2022 Concachampions?

- Mexico: Cruz Azul, Santos, Pumas and Leon.

- United States: Colorado Rapids, New England Revolution, Seattle Sounders and the reigning champions, New York City FC

- Canada: Hamilton Forge FC and CF Montreal

- Costa Rica: Deportivo Saprissa and Santos de Guápiles

- Guatemala: Comunicaciones FC and CD Guastatoya

- Honduras: FC Montagua

- Haiti: Cavaly AS

The 2021 Liga MX champion, Atlas, will also participate in the 2023 edition of the Concachampions. 

The Rojinegros will reach the competition as champions of the 2021 Apertura, while the Esmeraldas will do so as runners-up in the same semester.

It should be noted that this will be Atlas' first-ever participation, as the tournament did not exist when the Guadalajara team won its first league title (1950-51). 

Draw procedures of the Concachampions 2022

For this edition of the tournament, the 16 teams will be divided into two pools, according to their position in the Concacaf ranking. In Pot 1 they will be from position 1 to 8, and in Pot 2 from 9 to 16.

In addition, in the draw, there will be two other pots, Pot A and Pot B, with the positions of the round of 16: from A1 to A8 in the first one, and from B1 to B8 in the second one.

One ball will be selected from Pot 2 and then one from Pot B to define the position of the club. The process shall be repeated until all the balls in Hampers 2 and B are used up. 

The process shall then proceed with Pot 1 and Pot A to pair the clubs. Clubs from the same country cannot play against each other in the Round of 16. 

Concacaf Director of Competitions Carlos Fernandez will conduct the draw alongside former players from the region. A number of the club's head coaches will also participate in the evening’s event. 

The competition is expected to begin in the third week of February 2022 and conclude in the first week of May, with the second leg of the Final.