Where to watch the Pre-Libertadores 2026 draw involving Bahia and Botafogo this Thursday By Thiago Lemos
3 min read
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This Thursday, the Confederação Sul-Americana of Bahia and Botafogo represent Brasil in this qualifying stage and enter directly into the second stage.
The two Brazilian clubs are in pot 1 due to their positions in the Conmebol ranking. Essa placement guarantees that they will face teams from pot 2 in the second knockout phase. The draw also defines the complete switching until the third phase.
Bahia occupies 63rd position in the ranking, while Botafogo is in 19th. Clubes from the same country will not face each other in the second stage, but a Brazilian duel could take place in the third stage.
- Live broadcast on the official Conmebol Libertadores YouTube channel.
- Streaming platform Disney+ also shows the event.
- Some sports broadcasters may offer supplemental coverage.
⭐️🏆 It’s draw day! The definition of CONMEBOL Fase Preliminar confrontations and crosses#Libertadores2026.
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@LibertadoresBR)December 18, 2025
📺🔗https://t.co/IIW10qRKW8 pic.twitter.com/DGKceQF3Vs
Preliminary round format
Nineteen teams compete for four places in the group stage of Libertadores 2026. The competition begins with the first phase, involving six clubs in three knockout matches. The winners advance to pot 2 of the second phase.
In the second phase, 16 teams compete for eight places in the third stage. Bahia and Botafogo enter this phase and need to win two elimination matches to reach the groups. Todos duels occur in round-trip games.
The third phase defines the four final classifieds. Those eliminated in this stage will move on to the group stage of the Copa Sul-Americana 2026. This Thursday’s draw establishes every possible path.
Second phase pots
The pots follow the updated ranking of Conmebol in December 2025. Times from pot 1 must face opponents from pot 2. Essa division balances the initial clashes based on historical performance.
Pot 1 includes eight best positioned teams. Bahia and Botafogo appear alongside experienced clubs in continental competitions. Essa configuration offers a field control advantage in the return game for the seeded players.
- Botafogo (Brazil)
- Sporting Cristal (Peru)
- Guaraní (Paraguay)
- Independiente Medellín (Colombia)
- Argentines Juniors (Argentina)
- Sports Tolima (Colombia)
- Bahia (Brazil)
- Huachipato (Chile)
Pot 2 brings together lower ranking teams and those classified in the first phase. Alguns representatives still depend on definitions in national championships. Três places are filled with the winners of the initial phase.
- Liverpool (Uruguay)
- Carabobo (Venezuela)
- O’Higgins (Chile)
- Representative of Bolívia (The Strongest, Blooming or Nacional Potosí)
- Representative of Equador (Barcelona or LDU)
- Three classified from the first phase
Broadcast and access to the draw
The event gains wide coverage for South American fans. Digital Plataformas facilitate real-time monitoring. Representantes of clubs follow in person in Luque.
Conmebol prioritizes free broadcasts on its official channel. Serviços of paid streaming services complement the offer. Essa strategy increases reach for fans of Bahia and Botafogo.
The draw marks the official start of preparation for 2026. Clubes adjust planning based on the defined paths. The group stage features a separate draw in March.
Calendar of the knockout stages
The base dates follow the annual schedule of Conmebol. Jogos occur in consecutive weeks starting in February. Viagens long periods and adaptations to different conditions challenge teams.
The first phase takes place in February. Segunda phase involves the Brazilians in the following weeks. Terceira phase ends with qualifiers in March.
The main competition starts in April after the groups are drawn. Quatro disputed vacancies intensify initial competition. Brasileiros already guaranteed in the groups include Flamengo, Palmeiras, Cruzeiro, Mirassol and
Position of Brazilians in the ranking
Botafogo benefits from recent campaigns to occupy a high position. Bahia maintains a competitive position among South American clubs. The ranking influences pots and advantages in future editions.
This placement reflects points accumulated in previous Libertadores. Clubes invest in continental performance to improve future positions. Conmebol updates the ranking annually based on results.
First preliminary round
Six teams start the competition in the earliest stage. Confrontos define three classifieds for the second phase. Potes separated avoid initial imbalances.
Pote 1 brings together Alianza Lima (Peru), Deportivo Táchira (Venezuela) and Universidad Católica (Ecuador). Pot 2 includes representatives still being defined from Bolívia, in addition to 2 from Mayo (Paraguay) and Juventud from Las Piedras (Uruguay). Vencedores receive generic designations until the second phase.
