2025 Copa Libertadores: Group Stage Draw Set

The 2025 Copa Libertadores group stage draw is scheduled for March 17, capturing the attention of football enthusiasts throughout the continent. Conmebol has classified the 32 participating teams into four pots according to the 2024 rankings.

The Draw Structure

The draw will split 32 teams into eight groups of four, with seeding based Conmebol’s latest ranking, which assesses from recent seasons. Notably, four Brazilian clubs have earned top seeds highlighting their sustained dominance in South American football.

A key regulation prohibits teams from the same nation from being drawn into the same group—unless one has advanced through the preliminary rounds—adding another layer of unpredictability to the competition.

Pot Allocations

Pot 1: Botafogo (BRA), River Plate (ARG), Palmeiras (BRA), Flamengo (BRA), Peñarol (URU), Nacional (URU), São Paulo (BRA), Racing (ARG).

Pot 2: Olimpia (PAR), LDU Quito (ECU), Internacional (BRA), Libertad (PAR), Independiente del Valle (ECU), Colo-Colo (CHI), Estudiantes (ARG), Bolívar (BOL).

Pot 3: Atlético Nacional (COL), Vélez Sarsfield (ARG), Fortaleza (BRA), Sporting Cristal (PER), Universitario (PER), Talleres (ARG), Deportivo Táchira (VEN), Universidad de Chile (CHI).

Pot 4: Carabobo (VEN), Atlético Bucaramanga (COL), Central Córdoba (ARG), San Antonio Bulo Bulo (BOL), plus four teams advancing from the preliminary round.

Phase 3: Last Spots Decided

Several teams recently battled for a coveted place in the group stage:

• Alianza Lima (PER) vs. Iquique (CHI): Alianza Lima secured their group stage berth with a 3-2 aggregate victory after a 1-1 home draw. Quevedo put the Peruvians ahead in the 42nd minute, but Dávila equalized for Iquique late in the match.

• Cerro Porteño (PAR) vs. Melgar (COL): Cerro Porteño cruised into the group stage with a 4-2 home win, following their 1-0 first-leg triumph. Francisco da Costa, Sergio Araujo, Carrizo, and Fariña found the net for the Paraguayans, while Romás Martínez and Percy Liza responded for Melgar.

• Corinthians (BRA) vs. Barcelona SC (ECU): Corinthians’ Libertadores campaign ended despite a valiant effort. After a 3-0 first-leg loss in Ecuador, they won 2-0 at Neo Química Arena but fell short of forcing a penalty shootout. Félix Torres and Carrillo scored for the Brazilian side, with the latter’s goal initially disallowed before being awarded via VAR.

With their third phase exits, Corinthians, Melgar, and Iquique will continue their continental journey in the Copa Sudamericana.

The final group stage spot will be decided on Thursday, when Bahia (BRA) hosts Boston River (URU) at Arena Fonte Nova (8:30 PM ET). Following a goalless first-leg draw, the winner in Salvador will advance, while another draw would lead to a penalty shootout.

Key Tournament Dates

• Group Stage Draw: March 17
• Group Stage: April 2 - May 28
• Knockout Stage Draw: June 4 (tentative)
• Round of 16: August 13 & 20
• Quarter-Finals: September 17 & 24
• Semi-Finals: October 22 & 29
• Final: November 29 (tentative)

With the 2025 Libertadores set to kick off, fans are eagerly anticipating the draw that will outline the journey to continental glory. Stay tuned for in-depth coverage and expert analysis as South America’s prestigious club competition unfolds.