Conmebol Copa Sudamericana Kicks Off This Week

The Copa Sudamerica will start with 44 teams. Argentina and Brazil will have six teams initially. The other eight countries from Conmebol will have four clubs each. In the first round, the clubs from Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela will play against clubs from their own country.

🏆 The 3️⃣2️⃣ teams that will start their quest for #LaGranConquista from the First Phase! ⭐ pic.twitter.com/JSBLCtq9pG
— CONMEBOL Sudamericana (@TheSudamericana) February 25, 2025

The 16 winners will meet the clubs from Argentina and Brazil in the group stage. The 28 clubs will receive the four clubs that will get eliminated in the third round of the Conmebol Copa Libertadores da America (aka Pre-Libertadores). The 32 clubs will be split into eight groups.

The winners of each group will move directly into the round of 16. The runners-up of each group will be facing the teams of the Copa Libertadores group stage in third place. The winners of these playoffs will move to the round of 16. The team with better performance will have the second leg at their stadiums from this round onwards.

About the Brazilian teams playing the tournament

The Conmebol Copa Sudamerica ("Sulamerica" in Portuguese) will have six Brazilian teams from the Brasileirão Série A. Atlético Mineiro, Cruzeiro, Fluminense, Grêmio, Vasco da Gama and Vitória will be competing in this year's edition.

Atlético Mineiro has participated in the Copa Sudamericana 10 times, with their latest appearance in 2020 ending in the first phase. Their strongest campaign came in 2019 when they advanced to the semifinals. Over the course of 28 matches, they secured six draws, 10 victories, and 12 defeats, scoring a total of 29 goals.

SINÔNIMO DE RAÇA, CLUBE ATLÉTICO MINEIRO!!! 😡🐔🏴🏳️ pic.twitter.com/E72G35TuIp
— Atlético (@Atletico) April 28, 2021

Hulk is a great goal option for Atletico

Cruzeiro, on the other hand, has entered the tournament eight times, most recently in 2024, when they reached the final—their best performance to date. Across 29 matches, the club has recorded seven draws, 13 wins, and nine losses, finding the back of the net 34 times.

O sentimento de ser Cruzeiro! LINDO GOL, ROMERO!! 👏

📸 @ggaleixo

🔷 #AFCxCRU | 1-1 | #UmGrandeClubeNaCidade pic.twitter.com/OPEnRC3YnJ
— Cruzeiro 🦊 (@Cruzeiro) February 22, 2025

Romero and Gabigol lead the attack for Cruzeiro (Cruzeiro / X)

Fluminense boasts 11 appearances in the competition, with their most recent run in 2022 culminating in the group phase. Their standout performance remains the 2009 edition, where they finished as runners-up. The club has played 60 matches in the tournament, registering 18 draws, 28 wins, and 14 losses, while scoring an impressive 88 goals.

Pare agora sua 🫵 terça-feira de Carnaval para deixar um LL para ele pic.twitter.com/pz01fjqsdL
— Fluminense F.C. (@FluminenseFC) March 4, 2025

German Cano started hot for Fluminense in 2025 (Fluminense / X)

Grêmio has taken part in the Copa Sudamericana on seven occasions, most recently in 2021, when they reached the Round of 16. Their deepest run came in 2012, advancing to the quarterfinals. Throughout their 22 tournament matches, they have secured five draws, 11 wins, and six losses, scoring 38 goals along the way.

Vasco da Gama has made eight appearances in the competition, last competing in 2020, when they reached the second phase. Their best showing occurred in 2011, with a run to the semifinals. In their 28 matches played, the team has recorded five draws, 11 wins, and 12 defeats, tallying 39 goals.

Vitória has entered the tournament six times, with their most recent participation in 2016 ending in the second phase. Their best performances came between 2009 and 2014, when they consistently reached the Round of 16. Over 14 matches, they have managed two draws, six victories, and six losses, scoring a total of 14 goals.