February 3 – On Tuesday, the 67th edition of the Copa Libertadores, South America’s flagship competition, will kick off with the qualifiers.
The preliminaries will be played in two phases. The first phase includes The Strongest vs Deportivo Táchira, Juventud vs Universidad Católica and 2 de Mayo vs Alianza Lima. In the second phase, Brazilian clubs Botafogo and Bahia as well as Buenos Aires giants River Plate join the fray.
Three spots for the main draw will be up for grabs in the qualifiers.
Last season, Flamengo triumphed in an-all Brazilian final against Palmeiras. This season’s final returns to Montevideo, Uruguay, where Flamengo lost the competition’s 2021 final 2-1 against the Sao Paulo giants. Brazilian clubs will be heavy favourites to dominate this year’s competition again. In 2018, River Plate of Argentina were the last non-Brazilian club to win the Copa Libertadores.
Last week, Conmebol president Alejandro Dominguez once again left the door open for US and Mexican clubs to play in the Copa Libertadores. He however added, “it was an issue they must first discuss with Concacaf.”
It’s an idea that has been mooted in the past. Mexican clubs have participated in the Copa Libertadores but today compete in the Concacaf Champions League.
The winner of the 2026 Copa Libertadores will also qualify for the 2029 Club World Cup.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at [email protected]