- Three teams will make their debut in the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores.
- The trio will discover their fate in the group stage on March 19 during the draw, which will be broadcast live on the competition’s official YouTube channel.
The group stage of the 2026 CONMEBOL Libertadores will feature three teams making their absolute debut in the continent’s premier club competition: Platense (Argentina), Independiente Rivadavia (Argentina), and Mirassol (Brazil). In the preliminary rounds, both 2 de Mayo and Juventud de Las Piedras also made their first appearances in the tournament, but both were eliminated—falling in Phase 2 to Peru’s Sporting Cristal and in Phase 3 to Independiente Medellín, respectively.
After 120 years of history, Platense will step onto the international stage for the first time in the CONMEBOL Libertadores group phase. The Calamar secured qualification by winning the 2025 Argentine Apertura Tournament, in which they eliminated three of the country’s “big five” (Racing Club, River Plate, and San Lorenzo) before defeating Huracán in the final.
Managed by Argentine coach Walter Zunino—formerly an assistant to the duo of Favio Orsi and Sergio Gómez, who led Platense to their domestic title—the team will look to turn things around in the continental competition after an inconsistent start in the Argentine Professional League. With several promising signings, most notably Juan Gauto following his return from Europe where he played for Basel and Deportivo La Coruña, there is growing belief in the Saavedra neighborhood of Buenos Aires that more historic achievements can be built.
Independiente Rivadavia secured their place in the competition by winning the 2025 Copa Argentina. Along the way, they eliminated two CONMEBOL Libertadores champions—River Plate in the semi-finals and Argentinos Juniors in the final. The Mendoza-based club thus completed a historic campaign that not only brought them the first title in their history, but also opened the door to the continental stage with strong footballing credentials and a competitive edge that excites their fans.
They will be Argentina’s sixth representative in the tournament and, like all debutants in this edition, will be placed in Pot 4 of the group stage draw. From that position, they will look to challenge more experienced international sides, aiming to become one of the tournament’s surprise teams and to carry their winning momentum beyond national borders.
Mirassol, meanwhile, has been one of the fastest-rising clubs in Brazilian football. As the crowning achievement of a campaign that took them from the fourth division to the top flight in just five years, 2026 will see them face the continent’s biggest powers in the CONMEBOL Libertadores. Their steady growth—built on a solid structure and sound sporting decisions—has made them one of the most intriguing projects in the country.
Leão secured their place in the competition by finishing fourth in the 2025 Brasileirão, remarkably in their debut season in the top division. Reinaldo, the experienced Brazilian full-back—who has won domestic titles with São Paulo and Grêmio—stands out as the team’s main leader, guiding a side that blends enthusiasm, organization, and a clear identity as it embarks on its first major international adventure.
The CONMEBOL Libertadores group stage draw will take place this Thursday, March 19, starting at 20:00 (Paraguay time), at CONMEBOL’s headquarters in Luque, Paraguay.
The draw will determine the composition of the eight groups in the competition, each consisting of four teams.
The kickoff times across the rest of the continent will be as follows:
- 18:00 – Colombia, Ecuador and Peru
- 19:00 – Bolivia and Venezuela
- 20:00 – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay
