2026 Copa Sudamericana group stage
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2026 Copa Sudamericana group stage is played from 7 April to 28 May 2026.[1] A total of 32 teams compete in the group stage to decide 16 of the 24 places in the final stages of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana.[2]
The draw for the group stage was held on 19 March 2026, 20:00 PYT (UTC−3), at the CONMEBOL Convention Centre in Luque, Paraguay.[3][4]
Teams were seeded by their CONMEBOL Clubs ranking as of 15 December 2025 (shown in parentheses),[5] taking into account the following three factors:[6]
- Performance in the last 10 years, taking into account Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana results in the period 2016–2025.
- Historical coefficient, taking into account Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana results in the period 1960–2015 and 2002–2015 respectively.
- Local tournament champion, with bonus points awarded to domestic league champions of the last 10 years.
For the group stage, the 32 teams were drawn into eight groups (Groups A–H) of four containing a team from each of the four pots. The four losers of the Copa Libertadores third stage were seeded into Pot 4. Teams from the same association could not be drawn into the same group.[7]
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
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- Notes
- ^ CLQ3 The Copa Libertadores third stage losers were seeded in Pot 4.
The following are the four losers of the third stage of the 2026 Copa Libertadores qualifying stages which joined the 12 direct entrants and the 16 Copa Sudamericana first stage winners in the group stage.
| Match | Third stage losers |
|---|---|
| G1 |  Juventud |
| G2 |  O'Higgins |
| G3 |  Carabobo |
| G4 |  Botafogo |
Format
In the group stage, each group is played on a home-and-away round-robin basis. The winners of each group will advance to the round of 16 of the final stages, whilst the runners-up of each group will advance to the knockout round play-offs of the final stages.
Tiebreakers
Tiebreakers were changed starting from this edition, with head-to-head performance being prioritized over overall goal difference and goals scored. Disciplinary performance (red and yellow cards) was also included, removing away goals scored as well as placement in the CONMEBOL ranking as tiebreakers.[8] The full order of tiebreaking criteria, according to Regulations Article 2.4.3, is as follows:[2]
- Points
- Head-to-head points
- Head-to-head goal difference
- Head-to-head goals scored
- Overall goal difference
- Overall goals scored
- Red cards
- Yellow cards
- Drawing of lots
Schedule
The schedule of each matchday is as follows (Regulations Article 2.2.2).[9][2][1]
| Matchday | Dates | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| Matchday 1 | 7–9 April 2026 | Team 4 vs. Team 2, Team 3 vs. Team 1 |
| Matchday 2 | 14–16 April 2026 | Team 2 vs. Team 3, Team 1 vs. Team 4 |
| Matchday 3 | 28–30 April 2026 | Team 2 vs. Team 1, Team 4 vs. Team 3 |
| Matchday 4 | 5–7 May 2026 | Team 3 vs. Team 2, Team 4 vs. Team 1 |
| Matchday 5 | 19–21 May 2026 | Team 1 vs. Team 2, Team 3 vs. Team 4 |
| Matchday 6 | 26–28 May 2026 | Team 1 vs. Team 3, Team 2 vs. Team 4 |
Groups
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | AME | MAC | AAS | TIG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  América de Cali |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 28 May | 2–1 | 19 May | |
| 2 |  Macará |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | Advance to knockout round play-offs | 1–1 | — | 21 May | 6 May | |
| 3 |  Alianza Atlético |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 1 | 6 May | 30 Apr | — | 1–1 | ||
| 4 |  Tigre |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 1 | 30 Apr | 0–1 | 28 May | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 16 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
| Alianza Atlético | 1–1 | Tigre |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
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| Macará | 1–1 | América de Cali |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
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Referee: Carlos Benítez (Paraguay)
| América de Cali | 2–1 | Alianza Atlético |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
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Referee: Anderson Daronco (Brazil)
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | CIE | JUV | APC | CAM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cienciano |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 7 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 27 May | 2–0 | 1–0 | |
| 2 | Juventud |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 4 | Advance to knockout round play-offs | 1–1 | — | 4–0 | 5 May | |
| 3 | Academia Puerto Cabello |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 7 | −5 | 3[a] | 5 May | 21 May | — | 2–1 | ||
| 4 | Atlético Mineiro |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 3[a] | 21 May | 2–1 | 27 May | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 29 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
Notes:
Notes:
| Atlético Mineiro | 2–1 | Juventud |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
|
| Cienciano | 2–0 | Academia Puerto Cabello |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Referee: Ivo Méndez (Bolivia)
| Cienciano | 1–0 | Atlético Mineiro |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Referee: Yael Falcón Pérez (Argentina)
Group C
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | SPA | OHI | MIL | BOR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | São Paulo |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 7 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 2–0 | 19 May | 26 May | |
| 2 | O'Higgins |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 | Advance to knockout round play-offs | 7 May | — | 2–0 | 2–0 | |
| 3 | Millonarios |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 4 | 0–0 | 26 May | — | 1–0 | ||
| 4 | Boston River |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | −4 | 0 | 0–1 | 20 May | 7 May | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 28 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
| O'Higgins | 2–0 | Millonarios |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Referee: Roberto Pérez (Peru)
| Boston River | 0–1 | São Paulo |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
|
| Millonarios | 1–0 | Boston River |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
| Millonarios | 0–0 | São Paulo |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Referee: Juan Gabriel Benítez (Paraguay)
| O'Higgins | 2–0 | Boston River |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Referee: Augusto Aragón (Ecuador)
Group D
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | SLO | CUE | REC | SAN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Lorenzo |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 5 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 2–0 | 26 May | 1–1 | |
| 2 | Deportivo Cuenca |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 4 | Advance to knockout round play-offs | 5 May | — | 19 May | 1–0 | |
| 3 |  Recoleta |
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1–1 | 0–0 | — | 5 May | ||
| 4 | Santos |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 2 | 20 May | 26 May | 1–1 | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 28 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
| Recoleta | 1–1 | San Lorenzo |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
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| San Lorenzo | 1–1 | Santos |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
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Referee: Jhon Ospina (Colombia)
Group E
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | BOT | CAR | RAC | IPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Botafogo |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 7 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 1–1 | 6 May | 3–0 | |
| 2 | Caracas |
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 5 | Advance to knockout round play-offs | 27 May | — | 1–1 | 1–0 | |
| 3 | Racing |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 4 | 2–3 | 21 May | — | 27 May | ||
| 4 |  Independiente Petrolero |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | −6 | 0 | 20 May | 5 May | 1–3 | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 29 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
| Independiente Petrolero | 1–3 | Racing |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
Referee: Augusto Menéndez (Peru)
| Caracas | 1–0 | Independiente Petrolero |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Referee: Bryan Loayza (Ecuador)
| Racing | v | Independiente Petrolero |
|---|---|---|
Attendance: 0[note 9]
Group F
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | MCT | GRE | DRI | PAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montevideo City Torque |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 1–0 | 19 May | 6 May | |
| 2 | Grêmio |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4[a] | Advance to knockout round play-offs | 26 May | — | 1–0 | 20 May | |
| 3 | Deportivo Riestra |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4[a] | 2–1 | 5 May | — | 0–0 | ||
| 4 | Palestino |
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 2 | 0–2 | 0–0 | 26 May | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 29 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
Notes:
Notes:
| Montevideo City Torque | 1–0 | Grêmio |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
| Grêmio | 1–0 | Deportivo Riestra |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
| Deportivo Riestra | 2–1 | Montevideo City Torque |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
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Group G
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | OLI | AUD | BAR | VAS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olimpia |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 4[a] | Advance to round of 16 | — | 27 May | 0–0 | 20 May | |
| 2 | Audax Italiano |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 4[a] | Advance to knockout round play-offs | 0–2 | — | 19 May | 6 May | |
| 3 | Barracas Central |
3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 May | 1–1 | — | 0–0 | ||
| 4 | Vasco da Gama |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −1 | 1 | 30 Apr | 1–2 | 27 May | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 28 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
Notes:
Notes:
| Vasco da Gama | 1–2 | Audax Italiano |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
| Barracas Central | 1–1 | Audax Italiano |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Referee: Kevin Ortega (Peru)
Group H
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | RIV | CBO | RBB | BLO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | River Plate |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | Advance to round of 16 | — | 1–0 | 20 May | 27 May | |
| 2 | Carabobo |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3[a] | Advance to knockout round play-offs | 7 May | — | 1–0 | 30 Apr | |
| 3 | Red Bull Bragantino |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3[a] | 30 Apr | 27 May | — | 3–2 | ||
| 4 | Blooming |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 1 | 1–1 | 21 May | 7 May | — |
Updated to match(es) played on 16 April 2026. Source: CONMEBOL
Notes:
Notes:
| Blooming | 1–1 | River Plate |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
| Carabobo | 1–0 | Red Bull Bragantino |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Referee: Hernán Heras (Uruguay)
| River Plate | 1–0 | Carabobo |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Referee: Kevin Ortega (Peru)
| Red Bull Bragantino | 3–2 | Blooming |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
|
Attendance: 2,358[25]
Referee: Carlos Benítez (Paraguay)
| Carabobo | v | Blooming |
|---|---|---|
Referee: Anthony Díaz (Ecuador)
Notes
- 1 2 3 Alianza Atlético play their home matches at Estadio Miguel Grau, Callao instead of their regular stadium Estadio Campeones del 36, Sullana which did not meet CONMEBOL requirements.
- ↑ The kickoff of the Macará vs. América de Cali match, originally scheduled for 21:00 local time, was brought forward to 19:30 local time.[11]
- 1 2 3 Academia Puerto Cabello play their home matches at Estadio Misael Delgado, Valencia instead of their regular stadium La Bombonerita, Puerto Cabello which did not meet CONMEBOL requirements.
- 1 2 3 Juventud play their home matches at Estadio Centenario, Montevideo instead of their regular stadium Estadio Parque Artigas, Las Piedras which did not meet CONMEBOL requirements.
- 1 2 3 Boston River play their home matches at Estadio Centenario, Montevideo instead of their regular stadium Estadio Campeones Olímpicos, Florida which did not meet CONMEBOL requirements.
- ↑ The Millonarios vs. Boston River match, originally scheduled for 14 April, was rescheduled to 15 April.[14]
- 1 2 Recoleta played their home matches at Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción instead of their regular stadium Estadio Roque Battilana, Asunción which did not meet CONMEBOL requirements.
- ↑ Recoleta will play their home match against Santos at Estadio Río Parapití, Pedro Juan Caballero instead of the originally scheduled Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción.[17]
- 1 2 3 Racing play their home matches behind closed doors as they were punished for the use of pyrotechnics by their fans in their 2025 Copa Libertadores semi-final match against Flamengo.[19][20]
- 1 2 3 Deportivo Riestra play their home matches at Estadio Pedro Bidegain, Buenos Aires instead of their regular stadium Estadio Guillermo Laza, Buenos Aires which did not meet CONMEBOL requirements.
- 1 2 3 Montevideo City Torque play their home matches at Estadio Centenario, Montevideo instead of their regular stadium Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo which did not meet CONMEBOL requirements.
- 1 2 3 Barracas Central play their home matches at Estadio Florencio Sola, Banfield instead of their regular stadium Estadio Claudio Chiqui Tapia, Buenos Aires which did not meet CONMEBOL requirements.[22]
- 1 2 3 Olimpia play their home matches at Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción instead of their regular stadium Estadio Osvaldo Domínguez Dibb, Asunción which is being rebuilt.
- ↑ The Blooming vs. River Plate match, originally scheduled for 9 April, was rescheduled to 8 April.[24]
References
- 1 2 "CONMEBOL SUDAMERICANA 2026 PROGRAMA DE PARTIDOS - FASE DE GRUPOS | Departamento de Competiciones y Operaciones | Versión 20.03.2026" (PDF) (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 20 March 2026. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Manual de Clubes CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026" [2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana Clubs Handbook] (PDF) (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ↑ "¿Cuándo es el sorteo de la fase de grupos de la CONMEBOL Sudamericana 2026?" [When is the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana group stage draw?] (in Spanish). ESPN. 16 March 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ↑ "For The Great Conquest: these are the groups for the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana". CONMEBOL. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ↑ "Ranking de Clubes de la CONMEBOL 2026" [2026 CONMEBOL Clubs Ranking] (PDF) (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 15 December 2025. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ↑ "RANKING DE CLUBES DE LA CONMEBOL 2021 SISTEMA DE PUNTAJE" (PDF) (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 2 February 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 August 2021.
- ↑ "Lo que hay que saber: Todo sobre el sorteo de la Fase de Grupos" [What you need to know: Everything about the Group Stage draw]. CONMEBOL. 13 March 2026. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ↑ Onefootball (20 March 2026). "CONMEBOL scraps away goals rule as tiebreaker". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 23 March 2026.
- ↑ "Calendario de la CONMEBOL Libertadores, CONMEBOL Sudamericana y CONMEBOL Recopa 2026" [Schedule for the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores, CONMEBOL Sudamericana and CONMEBOL Recopa] (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
- ↑ "Alianza Atl 1-1 Tigre (7 de abr, 2026) Placar Final" (in Brazilian Portuguese). ESPN. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ↑ "Cambio de horario para el debut de América en Sudamericana" [Schedule change for América's Sudamericana debut] (in Spanish). Win Sports. 24 March 2026. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
- ↑ "Atlético-MG tem recurso negado no CAS e mandará jogos pela Sul-Americana sem torcida Atlético-MG joga mal, mas vence o Juventud com gol no fim e desencanta na Sul-Americana" [Atlético-MG plays poorly but beats Juventud with a late goal and breaks their losing streak in the Copa Sudamericana]. www.estadao.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). O Estado de S. Paulo. 16 April 2026. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
- ↑ "São Paulo 2-0 O'Higgins (14 de abr, 2026) Placar Final" (in Brazilian Portuguese). ESPN. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ↑ Beetar Peñuela, Juan David (25 March 2026). "Millonarios, con partidos reprogramados ante Santa Fe y Boston River" [Millonarios, with rescheduled matches against Santa Fe and Boston River] (in Spanish). Diario AS. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
- ↑ "Millonarios 1-0 Boston River (15 de abr, 2026) Placar Final" (in Brazilian Portuguese). ESPN. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ↑ Wilson Baldini Jr (14 April 2026). "Análise | Santos envergonha torcida no dia do aniversário de 114 anos ao só empatar com o frágil Recoleta" [Analysis | Santos disappoints fans on its 114th anniversary by only managing a draw against struggling Recoleta]. www.estadao.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). O Estado de S. Paulo. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
- ↑ "Es oficial: Recoleta recibirá a Santos en Pedro Juan Caballero" [It is official: Recoleta will host Santos in Pedro Juan Caballero] (in Spanish). Versus. 22 April 2026. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- ↑ "Botafogo inicia Copa Sul-Americana só com empate contra Caracas na estreia de Franclim Carvalho" [Botafogo kicks off the Copa Sudamericana with a draw against Caracas in Franclim Carvalho’s debut] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Jornal do Brasil. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
- ↑ "Multa y advertencia al Racing Club / Sr. Gustavo Adolfo Costas" [Fine and warning issued to Racing Club / Mr. Gustavo Adolfo Costas] (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 21 November 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
- ↑ "La dura sanción que Racing le sumará a un grupo complicado en la Copa Sudamericana" [The harsh penalty Racing will add to a tough group in the Copa Sudamericana] (in Spanish). TyC Sports. 19 March 2026. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
- ↑ Mondadori, Nikolas (14 April 2026). "Com um a menos e golaço no fim, Grêmio bate Deportivo Riestra pela Sul-Americana" [Down a man and with a stunning late goal, Grêmio beats Deportivo Riestra in the Sul-Americana] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Rádio Itatiaia. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
- ↑ "Sorpresa: Barracas Central confirmó dónde hará de local por la Copa Sudamericana" [Surprise: Barracas Central confirmed where they will play their Copa Sudamericana home matches] (in Spanish). TyC Sports. 24 March 2026. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
- ↑ Mondadori, Nikolas (14 April 2026). "Vasco sofre com VAR, expulsões e leva a virada para o Audax Italiano na Sul-Americana" [Vasco struggles with VAR and red cards, and ends up losing to Audax Italiano in the Sul-Americana]. www.uol.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Universo Online. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
- ↑ "Atento, River: la Conmebol modificó el día del debut en la Sudamericana vs. Blooming" [Attention, River: Conmebol changed the date of their debut in the Copa Sudamericana against Blooming] (in Spanish). Olé. 24 March 2026. Retrieved 24 March 2026.
- ↑ "Red Bull Bragantino vence o Blooming no acréscimo com brilho de Isidro Pitta" [Red Bull Bragantino beats Blooming in stoppage time thanks to a brilliant performance by Isidro Pitta]. www.estadao.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). O Estado de S. Paulo. 16 April 2026. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
External links
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