2026 Copa Sudamericana group stage

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The 2026 Copa Sudamericana group stage will be played from 7 April to 28 May 2026. [1] A total of 32 teams will compete in the group stage to decide 16 of the 24 places in the final stages of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana. [2]

Contents

Draw

The draw for the group stage was held on 19 March 2026, 20:00 PYT (UTC−3), at the CONMEBOL Convention Centre in Luque, Paraguay. [3] [4]

Teams were seeded by their CONMEBOL Clubs ranking as of 15 December 2025 (shown in parentheses), [5] taking into account the following three factors: [6]

  1. Performance in the last 10 years, taking into account Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana results in the period 2016–2025.
  2. Historical coefficient, taking into account Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana results in the period 1960–2015 and 2002–2015 respectively.
  3. Local tournament champion, with bonus points awarded to domestic league champions of the last 10 years.

For the group stage, the 32 teams were drawn into eight groups (Groups A–H) of four containing a team from each of the four pots. The four losers of the Copa Libertadores third stage were seeded into Pot 4. Teams from the same association could not be drawn into the same group. [7]

Group stage draw
Pot 1Pot 2Pot 3Pot 4
Notes
  1. ^
    CLQ3 The Copa Libertadores third stage losers were seeded in Pot 4.

The following are the four losers of the third stage of the 2026 Copa Libertadores qualifying stages which joined the 12 direct entrants and the 16 Copa Sudamericana first stage winners in the group stage.

MatchThird stage losers
G1 Flag of Uruguay.svg Juventud
G2 Flag of Chile.svg O'Higgins
G3 Flag of Venezuela (state).svg Carabobo
G4 Flag of Brazil.svg Botafogo

Format

In the group stage, each group is played on a home-and-away round-robin basis. The winners of each group will advance to the round of 16 of the final stages, whilst the runners-up of each group will advance to the knockout round play-offs of the final stages.

Tiebreakers

Tiebreakers were changed starting from this edition, with head-to-head performance being prioritized over overall goal difference and goals scored. Disciplinary performance (red and yellow cards) was also included, removing away goals scored as well as placement in the CONMEBOL ranking as tiebreakers. [8] The full order of tiebreaking criteria, according to Regulations Article 2.4.3, is as follows: [2]

  1. Points
  2. Head-to-head points
  3. Head-to-head goal difference
  4. Head-to-head goals scored
  5. Overall goal difference
  6. Overall goals scored
  7. Red cards
  8. Yellow cards
  9. Drawing of lots

Schedule

The schedule of each matchday will be as follows (Regulations Article 2.2.2). [9] [2] [1]

MatchdayDatesMatches
Matchday 17–9 April 2026Team 4 vs. Team 2, Team 3 vs. Team 1
Matchday 214–16 April 2026Team 2 vs. Team 3, Team 1 vs. Team 4
Matchday 328–30 April 2026Team 2 vs. Team 1, Team 4 vs. Team 3
Matchday 45–7 May 2026Team 3 vs. Team 2, Team 4 vs. Team 1
Matchday 519–21 May 2026Team 1 vs. Team 2, Team 3 vs. Team 4
Matchday 626–28 May 2026Team 1 vs. Team 3, Team 2 vs. Team 4

Groups

Group A

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification AME TIG MAC AAS
1 Flag of Colombia.svg América de Cali 00000000Advance to round of 16 — 19 May 28 May 15 Apr
2 Flag of Argentina.svg Tigre 00000000Advance to knockout round play-offs 30 Apr — 16 Apr 28 May
3 Flag of Ecuador.svg Macará 00000000 9 Apr 6 May — 21 May
4 Flag of Peru (state).svg Alianza Atlético 00000000 6 May 7 Apr 30 Apr —
First match(es) will be played: 7 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
Alianza Atlético Flag of Peru (state).svg v Flag of Argentina.svg Tigre
Estadio Miguel Grau, Callao [note 1]
Referee: Paulo Zanovelli (Brazil)
Macará Flag of Ecuador.svg v Flag of Colombia.svg América de Cali
Estadio Bellavista, Ambato
Referee: Carlos Benítez (Paraguay)
Tigre Flag of Argentina.svg v Flag of Ecuador.svg Macará
Estadio José Dellagiovanna, Victoria
Tigre Flag of Argentina.svg v Flag of Colombia.svg América de Cali
Estadio José Dellagiovanna, Victoria
Alianza Atlético Flag of Peru (state).svg v Flag of Ecuador.svg Macará
Estadio Miguel Grau, Callao [note 1]
Macará Flag of Ecuador.svg v Flag of Argentina.svg Tigre
Estadio Bellavista, Ambato
América de Cali Flag of Colombia.svg v Flag of Argentina.svg Tigre
Estadio Pascual Guerrero, Cali
Macará Flag of Ecuador.svg v Flag of Peru (state).svg Alianza Atlético
Estadio Bellavista, Ambato
América de Cali Flag of Colombia.svg v Flag of Ecuador.svg Macará
Estadio Pascual Guerrero, Cali
Tigre Flag of Argentina.svg v Flag of Peru (state).svg Alianza Atlético
Estadio José Dellagiovanna, Victoria

Group B

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification CAM CIE APC JUV
1 Flag of Brazil.svg Atlético Mineiro 00000000Advance to round of 16 — 21 May 27 May 16 Apr
2 Flag of Peru (state).svg Cienciano 00000000Advance to knockout round play-offs 29 Apr — 16 Apr 27 May
3 Flag of Venezuela (state).svg Academia Puerto Cabello 00000000 8 Apr 5 May — 21 May
4 Flag of Uruguay.svg Juventud 00000000 5 May 9 Apr 29 Apr —
First match(es) will be played: 8 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
Juventud Flag of Uruguay.svg v Flag of Peru (state).svg Cienciano
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo [note 4]
Referee: Bryan Loayza (Ecuador)
Atlético Mineiro Flag of Brazil.svg v Flag of Uruguay.svg Juventud
Arena MRV, Belo Horizonte
Cienciano Flag of Peru (state).svg v Flag of Venezuela (state).svg Academia Puerto Cabello
Estadio Garcilaso, Cusco
Cienciano Flag of Peru (state).svg v Flag of Brazil.svg Atlético Mineiro
Estadio Garcilaso, Cusco
Atlético Mineiro Flag of Brazil.svg v Flag of Peru (state).svg Cienciano
Arena MRV, Belo Horizonte
Cienciano Flag of Peru (state).svg v Flag of Uruguay.svg Juventud
Estadio Garcilaso, Cusco

Group C

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification SPA MIL BOR OHI
1 Flag of Brazil.svg São Paulo 00000000Advance to round of 16 — 19 May 26 May 14 Apr
2 Flag of Colombia.svg Millonarios 00000000Advance to knockout round play-offs 28 Apr — 14 Apr 26 May
3 Flag of Uruguay.svg Boston River 00000000 7 Apr 7 May — 20 May
4 Flag of Chile.svg O'Higgins 00000000 7 May 7 Apr 28 Apr —
First match(es) will be played: 7 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
O'Higgins Flag of Chile.svg v Flag of Colombia.svg Millonarios
Estadio El Teniente, Rancagua
Referee: Roberto Pérez (Peru)
São Paulo Flag of Brazil.svg v Flag of Chile.svg O'Higgins
Estádio do Morumbi, São Paulo
Millonarios Flag of Colombia.svg v Flag of Uruguay.svg Boston River
Estadio El Campín, Bogotá
Millonarios Flag of Colombia.svg v Flag of Brazil.svg São Paulo
Estadio El Campín, Bogotá
O'Higgins Flag of Chile.svg v Flag of Uruguay.svg Boston River
Estadio El Teniente, Rancagua
O'Higgins Flag of Chile.svg v Flag of Brazil.svg São Paulo
Estadio El Teniente, Rancagua
São Paulo Flag of Brazil.svg v Flag of Colombia.svg Millonarios
Estádio do Morumbi, São Paulo
Boston River Flag of Uruguay.svg v Flag of Chile.svg O'Higgins
Estadio Centenario, Montevideo [note 5]
São Paulo Flag of Brazil.svg v Flag of Uruguay.svg Boston River
Estádio do Morumbi, São Paulo
Millonarios Flag of Colombia.svg v Flag of Chile.svg O'Higgins
Estadio El Campín, Bogotá

Group D

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification SAN SLO CUE REC
1 Flag of Brazil.svg Santos 00000000Advance to round of 16 — 20 May 26 May 14 Apr
2 Flag of Argentina.svg San Lorenzo 00000000Advance to knockout round play-offs 28 Apr — 16 Apr 26 May
3 Flag of Ecuador.svg Deportivo Cuenca 00000000 8 Apr 5 May — 19 May
4 Flag of Paraguay.svg Recoleta 00000000 5 May 8 Apr 28 Apr —
First match(es) will be played: 8 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
Santos Flag of Brazil.svg v Flag of Paraguay.svg Recoleta
Estádio Urbano Caldeira, Santos
San Lorenzo Flag of Argentina.svg v Flag of Brazil.svg Santos
Estadio Pedro Bidegain, Buenos Aires
Santos Flag of Brazil.svg v Flag of Argentina.svg San Lorenzo
Estádio Urbano Caldeira, Santos
Santos Flag of Brazil.svg v Flag of Ecuador.svg Deportivo Cuenca
Estádio Urbano Caldeira, Santos
San Lorenzo Flag of Argentina.svg v Flag of Paraguay.svg Recoleta
Estadio Pedro Bidegain, Buenos Aires

Group E

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification RAC CAR IPE BOT
1 Flag of Argentina.svg Racing 00000000Advance to round of 16 — 21 May 27 May 15 Apr
2 Flag of Venezuela (state).svg Caracas 00000000Advance to knockout round play-offs 29 Apr — 15 Apr 27 May
3 Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg Independiente Petrolero 00000000 7 Apr 5 May — 20 May
4 Flag of Brazil.svg Botafogo 00000000 6 May 9 Apr 28 Apr —
First match(es) will be played: 7 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
Botafogo Flag of Brazil.svg v Flag of Venezuela (state).svg Caracas
Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos, Rio de Janeiro
Referee: Kevin Ortega (Peru)
Racing Flag of Argentina.svg v Flag of Brazil.svg Botafogo
El Cilindro, Avellaneda
Caracas Flag of Venezuela (state).svg v Flag of Argentina.svg Racing
Estadio Olímpico de la UCV, Caracas
Racing Flag of Argentina.svg v Flag of Venezuela (state).svg Caracas
El Cilindro, Avellaneda
Racing Flag of Argentina.svg v Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg Independiente Petrolero
El Cilindro, Avellaneda
Caracas Flag of Venezuela (state).svg v Flag of Brazil.svg Botafogo
Estadio Olímpico de la UCV, Caracas

Group F

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification GRE PAL MCT DRI
1 Flag of Brazil.svg Grêmio 00000000Advance to round of 16 — 20 May 26 May 14 Apr
2 Flag of Chile.svg Palestino 00000000Advance to knockout round play-offs 29 Apr — 14 Apr 26 May
3 Flag of Uruguay.svg Montevideo City Torque 00000000 8 Apr 6 May — 19 May
4 Flag of Argentina.svg Deportivo Riestra 00000000 5 May 8 Apr 29 Apr —
First match(es) will be played: 8 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
Grêmio Flag of Brazil.svg v Flag of Argentina.svg Deportivo Riestra
Arena do Grêmio, Porto Alegre
Palestino Flag of Chile.svg v Flag of Brazil.svg Grêmio
Estadio Municipal de La Cisterna, Santiago
Grêmio Flag of Brazil.svg v Flag of Chile.svg Palestino
Arena do Grêmio, Porto Alegre
Grêmio Flag of Brazil.svg v Flag of Uruguay.svg Montevideo City Torque
Arena do Grêmio, Porto Alegre

Group G

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification OLI VAS AUD BAR
1 Flag of Paraguay.svg Olimpia 00000000Advance to round of 16 — 20 May 27 May 15 Apr
2 Flag of Brazil.svg Vasco da Gama 00000000Advance to knockout round play-offs 30 Apr — 14 Apr 27 May
3 Flag of Chile.svg Audax Italiano 00000000 8 Apr 6 May — 19 May
4 Flag of Argentina.svg Barracas Central 00000000 6 May 7 Apr 28 Apr —
First match(es) will be played: 7 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
Vasco da Gama Flag of Brazil.svg v Flag of Paraguay.svg Olimpia
Estádio São Januário, Rio de Janeiro

Group H

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification RIV RBB BLO CBO
1 Flag of Argentina.svg River Plate 00000000Advance to round of 16 — 20 May 27 May 15 Apr
2 Flag of Brazil.svg Red Bull Bragantino 00000000Advance to knockout round play-offs 30 Apr — 16 Apr 27 May
3 Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg Blooming 00000000 8 Apr 7 May — 21 May
4 Flag of Venezuela (state).svg Carabobo 00000000 7 May 9 Apr 30 Apr —
First match(es) will be played: 8 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
Carabobo Flag of Venezuela (state).svg v Flag of Brazil.svg Red Bull Bragantino
Estadio Misael Delgado, Valencia
Referee: Hernán Heras (Uruguay)
River Plate Flag of Argentina.svg v Flag of Venezuela (state).svg Carabobo
Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires
Carabobo Flag of Venezuela (state).svg v Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg Blooming
Estadio Misael Delgado, Valencia
Carabobo Flag of Venezuela (state).svg v Flag of Argentina.svg River Plate
Estadio Misael Delgado, Valencia
River Plate Flag of Argentina.svg v Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg Blooming
Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Alianza Atlético will play their home matches at Estadio Miguel Grau, Callao instead of their regular stadium Estadio Campeones del 36, Sullana which did not meet CONMEBOL requirements.
  2. ↑ The kickoff of the Macará vs. América de Cali match, originally scheduled for 21:00 local time, was brought forward to 19:30 local time. [10]
  3. 1 2 3 Academia Puerto Cabello will play their home matches at Estadio Misael Delgado, Valencia instead of their regular stadium La Bombonerita, Puerto Cabello which did not meet CONMEBOL requirements.
  4. 1 2 3 Juventud will play their home matches at Estadio Centenario, Montevideo instead of their regular stadium Estadio Parque Artigas, Las Piedras which did not meet CONMEBOL requirements.
  5. 1 2 3 Boston River will play their home matches at Estadio Centenario, Montevideo instead of their regular stadium Estadio Campeones Olímpicos, Florida which did not meet CONMEBOL requirements.
  6. 1 2 3 Recoleta will play their home matches at Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción instead of their regular stadium Estadio Roque Battilana, Asunción which did not meet CONMEBOL requirements.
  7. 1 2 3 Deportivo Riestra will play their home matches at Estadio Pedro Bidegain, Buenos Aires instead of their regular stadium Estadio Guillermo Laza, Buenos Aires which did not meet CONMEBOL requirements.
  8. 1 2 3 Montevideo City Torque will play their home matches at Estadio Centenario, Montevideo instead of their regular stadium Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo which did not meet CONMEBOL requirements.
  9. 1 2 3 Barracas Central will play their home matches at Estadio Florencio Sola, Banfield instead of their regular stadium Estadio Claudio Chiqui Tapia, Buenos Aires which did not meet CONMEBOL requirements. [11]
  10. 1 2 3 Olimpia will play their home matches at Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción instead of their regular stadium Estadio Osvaldo Domínguez Dibb, Asunción which is being rebuilt.
  11. ↑ The Blooming vs. River Plate match, originally scheduled for 9 April, was rescheduled to 8 April. [12]

References

  1. 1 2 "CONMEBOL SUDAMERICANA 2026 PROGRAMA DE PARTIDOS - FASE DE GRUPOS | Departamento de Competiciones y Operaciones | Versión 20.03.2026" (PDF) (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 20 March 2026. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 "Manual de Clubes CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026" [2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana Clubs Handbook](PDF) (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  3. ↑ "¿Cuándo es el sorteo de la fase de grupos de la CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026?" [When is the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana group stage draw?] (in Spanish). ESPN. 16 March 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  4. ↑ "For The Great Conquest: these are the groups for the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana". CONMEBOL. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  5. ↑ "Ranking de Clubes de la CONMEBOL 2026" [2026 CONMEBOL Clubs Ranking](PDF) (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 15 December 2025. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  6. ↑ "RANKING DE CLUBES DE LA CONMEBOL 2021 SISTEMA DE PUNTAJE" (PDF) (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 2 February 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 August 2021.
  7. ↑ "Lo que hay que saber: Todo sobre el sorteo de la Fase de Grupos" [What you need to know: Everything about the Group Stage draw]. CONMEBOL. 13 March 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  8. ↑ Onefootball (20 March 2026). "CONMEBOL scraps away goals rule as tiebreaker". Yahoo! Sports . Retrieved 23 March 2026.
  9. ↑ "Calendario de la CONMEBOL Libertadores, CONMEBOL Sudamericana y CONMEBOL Recopa 2026" [Schedule for the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores, CONMEBOL Sudamericana and CONMEBOL Recopa] (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  10. ↑ "Cambio de horario para el debut de América en Sudamericana" [Schedule change for América's Sudamericana debut] (in Spanish). Win Sports. 24 March 2026. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  11. ↑ "Sorpresa: Barracas Central confirmó dónde hará de local por la Copa Sudamericana" [Surprise: Barracas Central confirmed where they will play their Copa Sudamericana home matches] (in Spanish). TyC Sports. 24 March 2026. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
  12. ↑ "Atento, River: la Conmebol modificó el día del debut en la Sudamericana vs. Blooming" [Attention, River: Conmebol changed the date of their debut in the Copa Sudamericana against Blooming] (in Spanish). Olé. 24 March 2026. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
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