Here is a comprehensive summary of the 2026 Copa Libertadores group stage:

  • Dates & Format: The 2026 Copa Libertadores group stage ran from April 7 to May 28, 2026, featuring 32 teams divided into eight groups (A–H) of four, all playing home-and-away round-robin matches.

  • The Draw: The official draw took place on March 19, 2026, at the CONMEBOL Convention Centre in Luque, Paraguay, with teams seeded based on a comprehensive CONMEBOL Clubs ranking that factored in the last decade of performance, historical coefficients, and bonus points for domestic league champions.

  • Advancement Rules: The top two teams from each group advanced to the round of 16 of the final stages, while the third-placed teams were relegated to the knockout round play-offs of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana.

  • Key Rule Change: This edition introduced a major overhaul to tiebreakers, now prioritizing head-to-head performance over overall goal difference, and incorporating disciplinary records (fewest red cards, then yellow cards) while eliminating away goals and CONMEBOL ranking as deciding factors.

  • Draw Restrictions: Teams from the same national association could not be drawn into the same group, with one notable exception—the four winners of the qualifying third stage, who were placed in Pot 4 and could face compatriots.

  • Competitive Structure: A total of 28 direct entrants were joined by four qualifiers, creating a highly competitive field where every match in the six-week schedule held significant consequences for progression to the knockout stages.