Concacaf: competitions, members and what collectors should know

Concacaf is the football confederation for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, with 41 national associations. It runs club and national-team competitions across the region. Key events include the Concacaf Champions Cup for clubs, supported by the Central American Cup and Caribbean Cup, plus the Concacaf Gold Cup, Concacaf Nations League and the Concacaf W Gold Cup. Major clubs include Club América, Monterrey, Tigres, Pachuca, LAFC, Seattle Sounders, Saprissa and Alajuelense. Leading national teams include Mexico, United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Jamaica and Panama. For collectors, Concacaf events define sleeve badges, numbers and sponsor rules that affect Football Shirt authenticity.

Key identifiers

Concacaf competition shirts carry distinct tournament sleeve patches and, for finals, dedicated event patches with edition wording. From 2024 the top club event is called the Concacaf Champions Cup; earlier seasons used the Champions League name. Name and number sets must meet size, contrast and placement rules, with fonts often specific to each competition. Sponsor layouts can change for regional play, including replacements or removals for restricted categories. Authentic examples match the exact patch pairing, typeface, material and spacing shown in official match imagery for that season and stage.

What to check

Confirm competition, season and exact fixture. Verify both sleeve patches for the correct tournament branding and the era naming. Check number height, character shape, outlines and alignment against the club’s registered set for that edition. Ensure domestic league patches do not appear on Concacaf matches. Review sponsor compliance for regional play and compare against match photos. For finals, validate the event patch wording, typography and position. Cross-check the player’s squad list, shirt version and manufacturer code against known team-issue patterns used that night.

How to verify

Use official galleries or broadcast stills from the exact match to compare sleeves, fonts and sponsors frame by frame. Match the date to the competition calendar and confirm the starting XI and substitutes from the club or confederation report. Measure number height and spacing and compare to the tournament guide used that year. If heat-press codes, issue tags or serialised numbers are present, photograph them and keep macro images. Save copies of regulations, team sheets and source images in your records so the provenance ties to a specific fixture.

Care and documentation

Store Concacaf shirts flat in acid-free sleeves with buffered backing, or hang on wide, rounded hangers in breathable bags. Keep away from UV and heat to protect badges and numbers. Use silica gel in display cases and rotate exposure. Keep a single folder with high-resolution images, match details, team sheets and any certificates. Name files with date, competition, opponent and player so the provenance trail is clear.

Related reading

Walkouts Knowledge Base and Collecting for guides on authentication, COAs, grading, proof, storage, and beginner strategies.