- The 'Fogão' went unbeaten and produced the best campaign of the entire Group Stage — 16 points from a possible 18 and 15 goals scored. In the Round of 16, they will face Cienciano: the first leg will be played at altitude in Cusco on August 13, with the return fixture at the Nilton Santos on August 20.
- Champions of the 2024 CONMEBOL Libertadores and the 1993 Copa CONMEBOL, the 'Glorioso' are looking to add the one continental trophy still missing from their cabinet.
Botafogo arrived in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana through an unexpected route. After overcoming Nacional Potosí in the Second Phase of the Libertadores, they were eliminated by Barcelona of Guayaquil 2-1 on aggregate and had to reshape their international campaign. They did so with Franclim Carvalho, a former assistant to Artur Jorge during the historic 2024 season, taking over as head coach.
The response was immediate: five wins, one draw, 15 goals scored and only five conceded. The 'Fogão' won both matches against Racing — including a dramatic 3-2 victory in Avellaneda — comfortably defeated Independiente Petrolero both in Rio de Janeiro and Bolivia, and closed the group by coming from behind against Caracas in Venezuela. Their 16 points made them the best of the eight group winners and ensured they will host the second leg of every tie through a potential Semi-final.
The team found goals from across the squad. Danilo scored both decisive goals against Racing; Arthur Cabral found the net in the opening two matchdays; while Júnior Santos, Álvaro Montoro, Cristian Medina, Jordan Barrera and several youngsters also contributed. That variety helps explain how Botafogo scored 15 goals without relying on a single leading marksman.
Cienciano await in the Round of 16, the 2003 Sudamericana champions and protagonists of one of the competition’s great comebacks: they lost the first leg of their Playoff tie against reigning champions Lanús 2-0, but responded with a 4-0 victory in Cusco thanks to braces from Carlos Garcés and Alejandro Hohberg. Botafogo must first deal with approximately 3,400 metres of altitude before attempting to finish the job at the Nilton Santos.
Botafogo in the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana: Results and Schedule
CONMEBOL Libertadores Preliminary Rounds
Second Phase, First Leg: Nacional Potosí 1-0 Botafogo (2' 2H Óscar Baldomar, assisted by Hugo Rojas)
Second Phase, Second Leg: Botafogo 2-0 Nacional Potosí (5' 1H Alex Telles, assisted by Danilo, and 45+6' 1H Danilo). Botafogo advanced 2-1 on aggregate.
Third Phase, First Leg: Barcelona SC 1-1 Botafogo (22' 1H Héctor Villalba / 21' 2H Matheus Martins, assisted by Jordan Barrera)
Third Phase, Second Leg: Botafogo 0-1 Barcelona SC (8' 1H Milton Céliz, assisted by Tomás Martínez). Barcelona advanced 2-1 on aggregate, with Botafogo moving into the Sudamericana.
CONMEBOL Sudamericana Group Stage — Group E
Matchday 1: Botafogo 1-1 Caracas (5' 2H Arthur Cabral / 43' 1H Wilfred Correa)
Matchday 2: Racing 2-3 Botafogo (4' 1H Santiago Sosa and 19' 2H Adrián Martínez / 23' 1H Arthur Cabral, 41' 1H Júnior Santos, assisted by Alexander Barboza, and 48' 2H Danilo, assisted by Kadir)
Matchday 3: Botafogo 3-0 Independiente Petrolero (15' 1H Mateo Ponte, assisted by Alex Telles; 17' 2H Álvaro Montoro; and 32' 2H Newton, assisted by Chris Ramos)
Matchday 4: Botafogo 2-1 Racing (19' 1H Marco Di Césare, own goal, and 29' 2H Danilo, assisted by Matheus Martins / 4' 2H Adrián Martínez)
Matchday 5: Independiente Petrolero 0-3 Botafogo (24' 1H Cristian Medina, 37' 2H Jordan Barrera, assisted by Joaquín Correa, and 42' 2H Jhohan Gutiérrez, own goal)
Matchday 6: Caracas 1-3 Botafogo (36' 1H Chris Ramos, own goal / 16' 2H Chris Ramos and 27' 2H Kauan Toledo, both assisted by Joaquín Correa, and 47' 2H Joaquín Correa)
CONMEBOL Sudamericana Round of 16
First Leg: Cienciano vs. Botafogo — Thursday, August 13, 7:30 p.m. (Peru time), Inca Garcilaso de la Vega Stadium, Cusco
Second Leg: Botafogo vs. Cienciano — Thursday, August 20, 9:30 p.m. (Brazil time), Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium, Rio de Janeiro
Botafogo Coach in the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana: Franclim Carvalho
The 39-year-old Portuguese coach took charge on April 2, just one week before the opening match against Caracas, signing a contract through December 2027. His arrival carried both an emotional and footballing connection: Franclim already knew the club well, having served as Artur Jorge’s main assistant during Botafogo’s historic CONMEBOL Libertadores and Brasileirão triumphs in 2024.
He also worked alongside Artur Jorge at Braga — winners of the 2023/24 Portuguese League Cup — and later at Al-Rayyan. Before that, he had been part of Braga’s youth structure and had a spell as head coach of Belenenses SAD.
On his return to Rio de Janeiro, he inherited a team still dealing with the disappointment of Libertadores elimination, but quickly restored order. Botafogo went unbeaten throughout the Group Stage, won all four of their away matches and finished with the best overall record. Franclim’s influence has been particularly evident in the contributions from midfield: Danilo, Medina, Montoro and Barrera all scored during the campaign, preventing the attacking burden from falling entirely on the forwards.
Full Botafogo Squad for the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana
Goalkeepers: 12. Gabriel Batista - 17. Warleson Lisboa - 40. Cristhian Loor - 62. Cleber Chieppe.
Defenders: 2. Victor Alexander Da Silva - 3. Ythallo Rodrigues - 4. Mateo Ponte - 5. Nahuel Ferraresi - 13. Alex Nicolao - 21. Fernando Marçal - 26. Anthony Ciriaco - 27. Caio Alves - 31. Kaio Da Silva - 33. Lucas Monzon - 34. Gabriel Pereira - 36. Gabriel Da Silva - 44. Riquelme Da Silva - 54. Kauã Serafim.
Midfielders: 6. Cristian Medina - 8. Danilo Dos Santos - 10. Alvaro Montoro - 14. Jordan Barrera - 23. Santiago Rodriguez - 25. Allan Marques - 45. Caio Ribeiro Do Valle - 47. Miguel Da Conceição - 48. Arthur Alves - 49. Felipe De Souza - 55. Wallace Nunes - 58. Cauã Zappelini - 64. Marcos Vinagre - 75. Victor Custodio De Melo - 80. Bernardo Da Silva - 88. Edenilson Andrade - 91. Domingos Andrade.
Forwards: 7. Jose Dos Santos - 9. Danilo Pereira - 11. Matheus Martins Silva - 19. Arthur Mendonça - 37. Jose Barria - 39. Arthur Bendayan - 42. Carlos Da Silva - 57. Matheus Teixeira - 59. Kauan Almeida - 67. Jhoan Hernandez - 77. Lucas Villalba.
Botafogo Key Player in the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana: Danilo
The No. 8 midfielder has been Botafogo’s man for the biggest moments. In Avellaneda, he arrived in the box in stoppage time to score the 3-2 winner against Racing; three weeks later, he struck again against the same opponent, this time at the Nilton Santos, to secure another victory and confirm qualification with a match to spare.
His contribution goes well beyond the two goals that place him among the team’s leading scorers. Danilo gives Franclim’s midfield energy, ball-winning ability and a constant threat from deeper positions. His capacity to break into the box forces opponents to spread their defensive attention and creates space for Arthur Cabral, Matheus Martins and Montoro.
A two-time CONMEBOL Libertadores champion with Palmeiras and with Premier League experience at Nottingham Forest, the midfielder understands the demands of continental knockout football. In a tie shaped in part by the altitude of Cusco, his physical presence will be one of the 'Fogão’s' main assets.
Botafogo Top Scorers in the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana: Arthur Cabral and Danilo
Botafogo reached the Round of 16 without a single outright leading scorer: Arthur Cabral and Danilo share top spot in the team’s scoring chart with two goals each.
The centre-forward opened his account by rescuing a draw against Caracas on the opening matchday. He then started the comeback against Racing in Avellaneda, winning the ball back from the defence before finishing with power. Both of his goals came with Botafogo trailing, underlining his importance as the team’s reference point inside the penalty area.
Danilo, meanwhile, scored both winning goals against Racing. The first came in the 93rd minute in Argentina, while the second arrived late in the return meeting in Rio. Together, they account for four of Botafogo’s 15 goals, but they also represent the team’s two main routes to goal: Cabral’s presence as the No. 9 and Danilo’s late runs from midfield.
Botafogo Factor X in the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana: Álvaro Montoro
At just 19, the Argentine has become the player tasked with linking midfield and attack. He can receive between the lines, carry the ball in tight spaces and drift into either flank, qualities that are especially valuable when Botafogo come up against compact defensive blocks.
Montoro scored in the 3-0 victory over Independiente Petrolero at the Nilton Santos and enters the Round of 16 with even greater responsibility: he now wears the No. 10 shirt. Developed at Vélez Sarsfield, he joined Botafogo around the time of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and made his official debut in the memorable victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
The tie against Cienciano will present two contrasting scenarios: managing the game and conserving energy at altitude in Cusco, followed by the need to take the initiative and attack in Rio de Janeiro. Montoro’s composure, ability to create separation and reading of the game could prove valuable in both settings.
Botafogo History in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana
The 2026 edition marks Botafogo’s tenth appearance in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana. Their best previous campaigns ended in the Quarter-finals: in 2008, they were eliminated by Estudiantes de La Plata; in 2009, they fell to Cerro Porteño; and in 2023, they were knocked out by Defensa y Justicia.
Franclim Carvalho’s outstanding Group Stage campaign, the advantage of deciding knockout ties at the Nilton Santos and a refreshed squad for the Round of 16 have all fuelled their ambition. Before thinking about the final in Barranquilla, the 'Fogão' must first overcome the altitude and a Cienciano side that have just eliminated the reigning champions. It is a demanding challenge, but also the kind of stage on which Botafogo have built some of their most memorable continental nights.
