On January 12 , 2012 , CONCACAF announced that the 2012 -- 13 tournament would be played under a different format than previous editions , where the Preliminary Round is eliminated and and all qualified teams enter the Group Stage .
On January 12 , 2012 , CONCACAF announced that the 2012 -- 13 tournament would be played under a different format than previous editions . 
 The Preliminary Round is eliminated , and all qualified teams enter the Group Stage .