Libertadores 2026 draw: see the updated pots with Corinthians after title; see all pots

The Confederação Sul-Americana of

Brasil will have seven representatives in the main competition. Seis clubs advance directly to the group stage, while Botafogo and Bahia compete in the preliminary stages. The final is scheduled for November 28th at Estádio Centenário, at Montevidéu, at Uruguai.

Distribution of vacancies by country

Conmebol maintains the regulation that distributes vacancies according to the historical and recent performance of national associations. Brasil leads with seven classified clubs, followed by Argentina with six. Outros countries such as Bolívia, Chile, Colômbia, Equador, Paraguai, Peru, Uruguai and

This allocation balances the competition and allows broad participation of South American teams. Clubes coming from the preliminary stages complete Pote 4 in the group stage.

🇧🇷🏆Parabéns,@Corinthians! The four-time champion of@CopaDoBrasilCBFwill be at Fase of Grupos of CONMEBOL#Libertadores2026.pic.twitter.com/PwxDsh46iU

— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@LibertadoresBR)December 21, 2025

Brazilian clubs in the competition

Flamengo appears in Pote 1 as the current champion of Libertadores and Brasileirão. Palmeiras, Fluminense and other strong Brazilians occupy prominent positions in the initial pots.

• Flamengo, Palmeiras and Fluminense → no Pote 1 or equivalent;
• Corinthians and Cruzeiro → reinforce Pote 2;
• Mirassol → enters Pote 4 as a debutant.

Botafogo and Bahia start in the preliminary stages and seek classification for the groups.

Composition of the main pots

The pots follow the Conmebol ranking, considering recent performances in continental competitions. Pote 1 brings together the best-positioned seeds.

Pote 2 includes teams like Corinthians, who rose after the national title. Potes 3 and 4 have medium and lower ranking clubs, including qualifiers from the preliminaries.

Teams details in Pote 1

Flamengo leads as current champion. Palmeiras maintains a high position due to past achievements.

Boca Juniors represents Argentina with tradition. Clubes Uruguayans like Peñarol and Nacional complete the pot with a strong track record. LDU and Independiente del Valle add Ecuadorian strength.

Teams confirmed at Pote 2

Lanús and Estudiantes stand out for Argentina. Libertad and Cerro Porteño represent Paraguai.

Corinthians enters after winning Copa of Brasil. Bolívar, Cruzeiro and Universitario fill the remaining spots with solid campaigns in national leagues.

Representatives at Pote 3

Junior Barranquilla and Independiente Santa Fe bring Colombian experience. Universidad Católica and Coquimbo Unido come from Chile.

Rosario Central reinforces Argentina. Always Ready represents Bolívia in altitude. Deportivo La Guaira and Cusco complete the pot with competitive potential.

Pote 4 Configuration

Universidad Central and Platense start with Venezuela and Argentina. Independiente Rivadavia and Mirassol bring new features.

Four places remain for winners of the preliminary stages. Esses classified enter directly into Pote 4 and balance the groups.

Path to the preliminary stages

The preliminary stages define four places for the group stage. Elas involve eliminatory clashes in round-trip games.

Botafogo and Bahia enter the second phase. Outros clubs compete from the first stage. The bracket has already been drawn, with field teams defined by the ranking.

Main initial clashes

In the first phase, lower-ranked teams open the duels. Vencedores advance to face clubs like Botafogo or Bahia.

The second phase includes direct knockouts. The third stage completes the path to the groups.

• Examples of duels → involve teams from Paraguai, Peru and Venezuela;
• Brazilians → decide home games in most cases.

General competition calendar

The preliminary stages begin in February. The group stage starts in April.

Round of 16 takes place in August. Quartas in September, semi-finals in October. The single decision takes place in November at Centenário.

Expectations for the draw

The group stage draw promises balanced groups. Cabeças of keys avoid early clashes between favorites.

Brazilian clubs seek favorable paths. The presence of seven teams reinforces the strength of national football in the continental competition.