The draw for the group stage of the 2026 Copa Libertadores is scheduled to take place imminently, with Boca Juniors and Universidad Católica among the teams awaiting their opponents. The competition, which is South America’s premier club tournament, will spot teams vying for a place in the knockout stages and the title.
Boca Juniors, a historically dominant force in the Copa Libertadores, last lifted the trophy in 2000, a campaign that included a 3-1 victory over Universidad Católica on April 12, 2000, according to available match records. That year, Boca navigated a challenging group stage, overcoming Blooming, Universidad Católica, and Peñarol before progressing through the knockout rounds. Their path included a dramatic quarter-final victory over River Plate, sealed by the return of Martín Palermo and a 3-0 win at La Bombonera. They then eliminated América de México before defeating Palmeiras on penalties in a tense final held in São Paulo.
Universidad Católica will also be looking to make their mark in the 2026 edition. Their participation follows a qualifying process that determines the composition of the group stage. The draw will determine which teams they face in the initial phase of the tournament.
The 2026 Copa Libertadores is already underway, with several matches having taken place in February. Results from February 19th include CA Nacional Potosí drawing 1-1 with Botafogo, Barcelona SC losing 1-0 to AA Argentinos Juniors, and CA Juventud de Las Piedras drawing 0-0 with Club Guaraní. Further matches on February 20th saw Deportivo Táchira FC lose 1-0 to Club Deportes Tolima SA. Later in February, on February 24th, Huachipato defeated Carabobo FC 1-2, while Sporting Cristal and 2 de Mayo drew 0-0. Bahia beat O’Higgins 3-2 on February 25th. The following days saw further matches, including Botafogo drawing 2-2 with Nacional Potosí on February 26th, and Argentinos Juniors losing 5-1 to Barcelona SC. Guaraní defeated Juventud 1-2 on the same day, and Tolima lost 3-0 to Táchira on February 27th. March saw Barcelona SC draw 1-1 with Botafogo on March 4th, and Carabobo FC lose 1-0 to Sporting Cristal SA. O’Higgins defeated Tolima SA 1-0 on March 5th, and Juventud de Las Piedras drew 1-1 with Independiente Medellín on March 6th. Botafogo lost 1-0 to Barcelona SC on March 11th.
Details regarding the specific broadcast channels for the draw remain forthcoming, with various outlets including ESPN Deportes and El Comercio Perú reporting on the event and anticipated coverage. The draw’s proceedings will determine the competitive landscape for the upcoming group stage, setting the stage for a compelling tournament.
Leave a Reply