CONMEBOL held the 2026 Copa Libertadores group stage draw on Thursday, March 19, at its headquarters in Luque, Paraguay, defining the paths for six Brazilian clubs in South American football's premier continental competition. Flamengo, Corinthians, Palmeiras, Cruzeiro, Mirassol, and Fluminense learned their opponents in a draw that distributed high-level matchups across all groups.
Flamengo, the reigning Libertadores champions, landed in Group A alongside Estudiantes from Argentina, Cusco from Peru, and Independiente Medellín from Colombia. The red-and-black team, seeking back-to-back titles, is the group favorite but will face long away trips and Peruvian altitude as logistical challenges. Flamengo's coach has already signaled the competition will be the absolute priority this season.
Group D produced the most anticipated clash: Cruzeiro and Boca Juniors will face each other in the group stage, in a duel reminiscent of great South American finals of the past. Universidad Católica from Chile and Barcelona de Guayaquil from Ecuador complete the group. Cruzeiro, returning to the continental elite after years of absence, will face one of the opening phase's greatest challenges at La Bombonera.
Palmeiras, runners-up in the previous edition, were placed in Group F with Cerro Porteño from Paraguay, Junior Barranquilla from Colombia, and Sporting Cristal from Peru. The green-and-white team is considered a title favorite thanks to their robust squad and accumulated experience in South American competitions under Abel Ferreira's leadership.
Corinthians inherited Group E, where they will face Peñarol from Uruguay, Santa Fe from Colombia, and Platense from Argentina. The São Paulo club, going through a rebuilding phase after heavy investment in the last transfer window, sees the Libertadores as an opportunity to consolidate their new sporting project.
Fluminense, in Group C, will face Bolívar from Bolivia, La Guaira from Venezuela, and Independiente Rivadavia from Argentina. The tricolor team, which won the Libertadores in 2023, seeks to repeat the feat with a renewed squad. Mirassol, making their competition debut, landed in Group G alongside LDU from Ecuador, Lanús from Argentina, and Always Ready from Bolivia — a challenging group for the club from São Paulo state's interior.
The group stage begins on April 7, with matchdays running through May 28. The grand final is scheduled for November 28, 2026, at Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay. The top two from each group advance to the round of 16, beginning the knockout phase that will determine the continental champion.