Conmebol draws clashes for Pre-Libertadores 2026 with Bahia facing O’Higgins and Botafogo against Bolivian By Carolina Costa
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Conmebol held the draw for the preliminary phases of Copa Libertadores 2026 this Thursday, at Luque, at Paraguai. Bahia and Botafogo, the only Brazilian representatives at this stage, met their first opponents in the second knockout phase. Brazilian clubs need to win two knockouts to guarantee a place in the group stage.
The event defined the entire selection of the three preliminary phases, involving 19 teams in total. Apenas four advance to the main stage of the tournament. Bahia and Botafogo enter directly into the second phase, benefiting from the entity’s position in the ranking.
The second phase games take place in the weeks of February 18th and 25th. The third phase is scheduled for March 4th and 11th. The group stage draw takes place on March 18.
Path of Bahia in the second phase
Bahia faces O’Higgins, from Chile, in a round-trip clash. Tricolor from Bahia decides the return game at home, thanks to the best position in the Conmebol ranking. Essa advantage can be decisive for advancement.
If they overcome their Chilean opponent, Bahia will face in the third phase the winner of the group between Tolima, from Colômbia, and the qualifier from the initial duel between a Bolivian representative and Deportivo Táchira, from Essa stage requires logistical planning due to travel and possible games at altitude.
Botafogo’s trajectory in the preliminaries
Botafogo takes a representative from Bolívia in the second phase, which can be The Strongest, Blooming or Nacional Potosí, depending on the local championship. The Rio club also has control of the field when they return. The confrontation promises technical balance.
If it advances, Botafogo will face in the third phase the winner of the duel between Argentinos Juniors, from Argentina, and a club from Equador, such as Barcelona or LDU. Essa key brings together traditional teams and may require a high level of performance from the Brazilian team.
Complete dates of the knockout stages
The matches follow a tight schedule at the beginning of the year.
- First phase: first games on February 4th and return on February 11th.
- Second phase: departure the week of February 18th and return on February 25th.
- Third phase: departure on March 4th and return on March 11th.
These dates coincide with the start of the state and national championships. Clubs need to manage their squad to avoid excessive wear and tear.
First phase clashes
Three duels open the preliminaries and define the qualifiers for the second stage.
- Representative of Bolívia (The Strongest, Blooming or San Antonio Bulo Bulo) faces Deportivo Táchira, from Venezuela.
- Juventud, from Uruguai, takes Universidad Católica, from Equador.
- 2 of Mayo, from Paraguai, duels with Alianza Lima, from Peru.
The winners of these games enter the second phase. The teams on the left decide to return home in this initial stage.
Details of the second knockout phase
Eight clashes make up this phase, with Bahia and Botafogo included.
- Winner of Juventud/Universidad Católica against Guaraní, from Paraguai.
- Bolivian/Táchira winner against Tolima, from Colômbia.
- Winner 2 of Mayo/Alianza Lima against Sporting Cristal, of Peru.
- Representative of Equador against Argentinos Juniors.
- Bolivian representative against Botafogo.
- Carabobo, from Venezuela, against Huachipato, from Chile.
- O’Higgins, from Chile, against Bahia.
- Liverpool, from Uruguai, against Independiente Medellín, from Colômbia.
At this stage, the teams on the left play the first leg. The definition follows ranking criteria for balance.
Third phase switching
Four final duels define places in the group stage.
- Winner of a bracket against another specific one, including the path of Bahia.
- Another confrontation involves the possible opponent of Botafogo.
- Two additional pairs complete the stage.
- Field commands are determined by the Conmebol ranking from this phase onwards.
This structure ensures clear paths from the initial draw. Those classified enter pot 4 of the group stage.
General format of preliminaries
The Pré-Libertadores brings together teams with lower coefficients or indirectly classified. Brasil has seven places in total for 2026, with five direct in the group stage. Bahia and Botafogo compete in the remaining matches via knockout stage.
The Conmebol ranking influences pots and field orders. Clubes better positioned avoid early clashes with each other. The draw avoids duels between teams from the same country in the second phase.
List of main clashes in the second phase
Here are the key duels involving Brazilians and traditionalists:
- Botafogo versus Bolivian representative.
- Bahia versus O’Higgins (Chile).
- Argentines Juniors versus Ecuadorian.
- Tolima versus Bolivian/Táchira winner.
These games attract attention due to the possibility of zebras. Equipes as LDU and Argentinos Juniors represent known obstacles.
The draw marks the official start of Libertadores 2026. Clubes plan pre-season considering these dates. The continental competition requires specific preparation for long journeys and differences in altitude.
