Botafogo and Bahia know pots for draw for the second preliminary phase of Libertadores 2026 By Thiago Lemos
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This Thursday, Conmebol will hold the draw for the preliminary stages of Copa Libertadores in 2026. The event takes place at Luque, at Paraguai, starting at 12pm (Brasília time). Botafogo and Bahia represent Brasil in the second knockout phase and await the definition of their opponents.
The two Brazilian clubs are positioned in pot 1 due to the ranking of the South American entity. Essa placement guarantees that they will face teams from pot 2 in round-trip matches. The draw also establishes the complete switch until the third phase.
Botafogo occupies 19th position in the Conmebol ranking, while Bahia appears in 63rd. Essa advantage allows them to decide the home games in the second phase.
🍀🏆 Potes defined! Assim will be the draw for CONMEBOL’s Fase Preliminar#Libertadores2026.
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@LibertadoresBR)December 17, 2025
🔜 Nesta Thursday, at 12pm 🇧🇷pic.twitter.com/jtSdtWaqb1
Division of pots for the second phase
Conmebol organized the pots based on the updated club rankings. Pot 1 brings together the eight best positioned teams that start directly in the second phase.
- Pot 1: Botafogo (Brazil), Sporting Cristal (Peru), Guaraní (Paraguay), Independiente Medellín (Colombia), Argentinos Juniors (Argentina),
Pot 2 includes lower-ranked teams and those classified in the first phase. Esses opponents present varied challenges, including possible games at altitude.
- Pot 2: Liverpool (Uruguay), Carabobo (Venezuela), O’Higgins (Chile), representative of Bolívia 3 (The Strongest,
Teams in the first knockout phase
Six clubs compete in the first phase in three round-trip matches. The winners advance to complete pot 2 of the second stage.
These games take place the weeks of February 4th and 11th. The teams involved are:
- Alliance Lima (Peru)
- Deportivo Táchira (Venezuela)
- University Católica (Ecuador)
- Representative of Bolívia 4
- 2 of Mayo (Paraguay)
- Youth of Las Piedras (Uruguay)
Those classified receive generic designations in the draw until names are defined.
Preliminary round format
Nineteen teams participate in the preliminary stages of Libertadores. Apenas four advance to the group stage of the main competition.
In the second phase, 16 clubs form eight knockout matches. The winners progress to the third phase, also with round-trip games.
There is no away goal criterion as a tiebreaker. In case of equality on aggregate, the place is defined on penalties. Pot 1 clubs decide the round at their stadiums.
Complete phase calendar
Conmebol maintains the regulation without significant changes in relation to the previous edition. The base dates follow the annual planning.
- First phase: weeks of February 4th and 11th
- Second phase: weeks of February 18th and 25th
- Third phase: weeks of March 4th and 11th
The group stage draw takes place on March 18. The main stage begins the week of April 8th and runs until May 27th.
Preparation of Brazilian clubs
Botafogo and Bahia start the competition directly in the second phase. Eles need to overcome two knockouts to reach the group stage.
The position in pot 1 offers a command advantage in the return of the second phase. However, progress could lead to more balanced clashes in the third stage.
Other South American clubs adjust their plans for travel and necessary adaptations. Fatores as altitude in games against Bolivians or Ecuadorians require special attention.
Broadcast of the draw
The event will be broadcast live on official Conmebol channels. Plataformas how YouTube and streaming services cover the entire ceremony.
Fans of Botafogo and Bahia follow the definition of the paths. The draw reveals not only the initial opponents, but the entire possible lineup up to the groups.
Expectations are growing among the clubs involved in the preliminaries. The Libertadores represents the main continental competition and attracts attention throughout the América from the Sul.
