Practical Guide to the Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana 2026 Draw
Overview of the Draw
On Thursday, March 19, at 8 p.m., the highly anticipated draw for the group stage of the Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana 2026 will take place at the Conmebol headquarters in Luque, Asunción. This event will set the stage for one of the most prestigious tournaments in South American club football.
Recent Qualifications and Notable Absences
In a thrilling previous phase, several teams secured their spots in the Copa Libertadores. Sports Tolima triumphed over O’Higgins with a definitive 2-0, while Sporting Cristal advanced through a tense penalty shootout after a tie with Carabobo. Barcelona of Ecuador shocked Brazil by knocking out Botafogo, ensuring their place in Pot 4 of the draw along with Independiente Medellin, who defeated Youth of Las Piedras.
Interestingly, the 2026 edition sees notable absences that have historically been powerhouses in the tournament: River Plate, Racing Club, San Pablo, Atlético Mineiro, Botafogo, Santos, Olimpia, Millonarios, and Grêmio will not participate this year, opening the door for new contenders.
Group Stage Pots for 2026
The tournament’s teams are distributed into four pots for the draw:
Pot 1
- Flamengo
- Palmeiras
- Boca Juniors
- Peñarol
- Nacional de Montevideo
- LDU Quito
- Fluminense
- Independiente del Valle
Pot 2
- Libertad
- Estudiantes de La Plata
- Cerro Porteño
- Lanús
- Corinthians
- Bolívar
- Cruzeiro
- Universidad
Pot 3
- Junior
- Universidad Católica
- Rosario Central
- Independiente Santa Fe
- Always Ready
- Coquimbo Unido
- La Guaira
- Cusco FC
Pot 4
- Central University
- Platense
- Independiente Rivadavia
- Mirassol
- Barcelona SC
- Sporting Cristal
- Deportes Tolima
- Independiente Medellín
Format and Progression
In the Copa Libertadores, the top two teams from each group will advance to the Round of 16, while the teams finishing third will enter the Playoff Phase of the Sudamericana 2026.
Conversely, in the Copa Sudamericana, the group winners advance directly to the Round of 16, and the runners-up proceed to the Playoffs.
Schedule for Group Stage Matches
The group stage is scheduled to take place from April 7 to May 28. Following this period, the tournament will briefly pause due to the World Cup 2026, with matches resuming on August 11.
Conclusion
As the draw approaches, excitement builds for clubs and fans alike. With historic teams missing from the Copa Libertadores and potential for up-and-coming clubs to shine, the 2026 tournament promises to be one filled with drama and unforgettable moments. Keep an eye out for the draw on March 19 to see how your favorite teams fare!