Copa Libertadores 2026 — South America's Greatest Club Trophy
The Copa Libertadores is the most dramatic, passionate and unpredictable club competition on Earth. From the group stage to the November 2026 final, the tournament pits South America's greatest clubs — Boca Juniors, River Plate, Flamengo, Palmeiras — in a battle for CONMEBOL immortality.
🏆 The Champions — All-Time Record Holders
Argentina has produced the most Copa Libertadores champions in history. Independiente's 7 titles remain the all-time record — a feat unlikely to be matched.
Brazilian clubs have dominated the modern era of the Copa Libertadores. Flamengo's back-to-back finals in 2019 and 2022, and Palmeiras' consecutive titles in 2020–21, show Brazil's continental strength.
64 years of South American club football at its finest. The Copa Libertadores winner earns the right to play in the FIFA Club World Cup — South America's gateway to global glory.
⚽ The Contenders 2026
6-time champions. La Bombonera roars on Copa nights. Boca's passionate fanbase makes them South America's most feared home side.
Watch Highlights4-time champions and 2018 Libertadores winners. El Millonario bring attacking brilliance and tactical sophistication to every campaign.
Watch Highlights1967 champions chasing a second Libertadores. Racing's passionate supporters and Avellaneda atmosphere make them a dangerous draw.
Watch Highlights3-time champions. Brazil's most popular club — 40 million fans behind them. 2019 final winner Flamengo are always CONMEBOL favourites.
Watch HighlightsBack-to-back champions 2020–21. Verdão combine elite coaching, academy depth and financial power to challenge every year.
Watch Highlights2023 Copa Libertadores champions. Tricolor's tactical intelligence under Diniz brought CONMEBOL glory for the first time in their history.
Watch Highlights3-time champions. Uruguay's most decorated club are always a dangerous side in the knockout rounds with passionate Montevideo backing.
Watch Highlights5-time champions and one of the founding clubs of South American football. Peñarol's gold-and-black army are a perennial threat.
Watch HighlightsKey Storylines 2026
Argentine Clubs Chasing Glory
Boca Juniors, River Plate and Racing Club carry the weight of Argentine expectation into Copa 2026. Boca's 6 titles and River's 4 make them the tournament's most historically decorated active clubs. La Bombonera and El Monumental are the two most intimidating stadiums in South American football — making the Buenos Aires sides notoriously hard to eliminate on home soil. Racing, meanwhile, are overdue a second Libertadores crown 59 years after their first.
Brazilian Powerhouses Defending CONMEBOL Pride
Flamengo, Palmeiras and Fluminense have between them won four of the last seven Copa Libertadores titles. The Brasileirão's wealth and technical quality means Brazilian clubs enter as the strongest collective force in 2026. Flamengo's 40-million fanbase and Palmeiras' relentless squad depth make them the teams bookmakers fear most. The Copa and the Brasileirão running simultaneously creates an extraordinary double chase.
Messi Connection — WC2026 and Copa Crossover
2026 is Leo Messi's World Cup year — and Argentina's Copa Libertadores clubs will benefit from the nation's extraordinary football fever. Argentine clubs competing deep into the Libertadores while their national heroes prepare for WC2026 in the summer creates a unique energy across the country. Every Boca and River Copa night will carry additional weight in a year when Argentine football is at the centre of the global game.
Road to the Final — How the Tournament Works
The Copa Libertadores begins with a preliminary round in February 2026 for clubs from smaller CONMEBOL nations. The group stage runs from March through May, with eight groups of four teams — top two from each group advance. The Round of 16 begins in July, followed by the Quarter-Finals in August and Semi-Finals in September and October. The two-legged ties add incredible drama — away goals, late drama, and comeback legends are what make the Copa unlike any other tournament on Earth.
Copa Libertadores Highlights
Analysis & Opinion
CONMEBOL is killing the soul of the Copa Sudamericana with neutral finals
6 months, 3 weeks ago
CONMEBOL is ruining the Sudamericana with this Libertadores safety net
6 months, 3 weeks ago
CONMEBOL is slowly killing the Sudamericana with this tiered structure
6 months, 3 weeks ago
Boca, River, and Racing are ready to end Brazil's Libertadores monopoly
6 months, 3 weeks ago
The 2026 Libertadores group stage draw is a guaranteed bloodbath
6 months, 3 weeks ago
Gallardo is back at River, but the 2026 Libertadores is a different beast
6 months, 3 weeks agoCopa Libertadores News
View AllWhen River Plate icon Diaz took over fourth-tier Oxford
Twenty years on from Ramon Diaz's surprising appointment at Oxford United, BBC Sport looks at what happened and how it …
Flamengo director fuels Milan rumours with comments on Amorim and future role in Italy
<img width="630" height="394" src="https://icdn.sempremilan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/flamengo-v-santos-brasileirao-2025-630x394.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="flamengo Sporting Director Jose Boto" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" l
Man City agree deal for Palmeiras winger Allan
Manchester City agree to sign winger Allan Elias from Palmeiras in a deal worth up to £34.2m.
“Sir Alex Ferguson’s brother watched me score against Boca Juniors. I didn’t know it then but that goal earned me my Manchester United move” Diego Forlan on the goal that changed his life
The Uruguayan secured a £6.9million move to Old Trafford in 2002
Man City latest: 'Proudest moment of my life' - Allan joins from Palmeiras
Diario AS: Palmeiras renew star’s deal and insert €180m clause with Milan sniffing
<img width="630" height="395" src="https://icdn.sempremilan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/flamengo-v-palmeiras-brasileirao-2026-630x395.jpeg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="José Manuel López of Palmeiras" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" lin
Former Man United star under investigation for 'offensive' gesture in Copa Libertadores clash
The forward, who played 53 times for the Red Devils between 2015 and 2017, now plies his trade in Brazil …
When River Plate icon Diaz took over fourth-tier Oxford
Twenty years on from Ramon Diaz's surprising appointment at Oxford United, BBC Sport looks at what happened and how it …
Man City latest: Talks opened with Palmeiras over deal for Allan
Man City sign Palmeiras winger Allan for £34m
Manchester City complete the signing of winger Allan Elias from Palmeiras in a deal worth up to £34.2m.
Andrea Berta wants another Brazilian masterclass signing at Arsenal as Flamengo wonderkid wows
Reports: Milan ready to submit €15m bid for Flamengo star after scouting mission
<img width="630" height="394" src="https://icdn.sempremilan.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/palmeiras-v-flamengo-copa-conmebol-libertadores-2025-final-630x394.jpeg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Evertton Araujo of Flamengo" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max