Ristozi FC Qualifies for 2026 U.S. Open Cup
Ristozi FC has officially qualified for the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, earning its place in the national tournament after a historic 2025 season. The Baltimore-based club secured qualification by winning the NPSL Mid Atlantic Conference and East Region Championships, advancing to the National Semifinals in its inaugural NPSL campaign.
Ristozi FC will enter the competition in the First Round, which has traditionally been played in March.
First held in 1913, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the oldest soccer competition in the United States. The single elimination tournament features clubs from every level of the American soccer pyramid, from professional sides in Major League Soccer (MLS) and USL Championship to community and semi professional clubs like Ristozi FC. The 2026 edition will mark the 111th running of the tournament.
“This qualification means a lot to everyone involved with the club,” said General Manager Francis Shkurti. “We have worked relentlessly to build something special for Baltimore, and to now compete on a national stage is an incredible opportunity. Our goal is to represent the city with pride and show what this team is capable of.”
Ristozi FC’s First Round opponent will be announced by U.S. Soccer in early 2026.
About the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Now entering its 111th edition, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup has crowned U.S. Soccer’s national champion since 1914. The historic competition is a single game knockout tournament open to professional and amateur clubs affiliated with U.S. Soccer. In 1999, the tournament was renamed in honor of American soccer pioneer Lamar Hunt.
The 2025 champion will earn a berth in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup and have its name engraved on the Dewar Challenge Trophy, one of the oldest nationally contested trophies in American team sports, which is on display at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas.
