The 2026 Copa Sudamericana first stage was played from 3 to 5 March 2026. A total of 32 teams competed in the first stage to decide 16 of the 32 places in the group stage of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana.
Draw
The draw for the first stage was held on 18 December 2025, 12:00 PYT (UTC−3), at the CONMEBOL Convention Centre in Luque, Paraguay.
For the first stage, the 32 teams involved were divided into eight pots according to their national association. The 32 teams were drawn into 16 ties, with the four teams from each national association being drawn against a rival from the same association in two ties per association. The first team drawn in each tie hosted the match. +First stage drawBoliviaChileColombiaEcuadorParaguayPeruUruguayVenezuela
Format
In the first stage, each tie was played on a single-leg basis, with the winner being decided in a penalty shoot-out in case of a draw after 90 minutes.
The 16 winners of the first stage advanced to the group stage to join the 12 teams directly qualified for that stage (six from Argentina and six from Brazil), and four teams transferred from the Copa Libertadores (the four teams eliminated in the third stage of qualifying).
Matches Matches were played on 3–5 March 2026.
Independiente Petrolero advanced to the group stage (BOL 1).
Blooming advanced to the group stage (BOL 2).
Palestino advanced to the group stage (CHI 1).
Audax Italiano advanced to the group stage (CHI 2).
Millonarios advanced to the group stage (COL 1).
América de Cali advanced to the group stage (COL 2).
Deportivo Cuenca advanced to the group stage (ECU 1).
Macará advanced to the group stage (ECU 2).
Recoleta advanced to the group stage (PAR 1).
Olimpia advanced to the group stage (PAR 2).
Alianza Atlético advanced to the group stage (PER 1).
Cienciano advanced to the group stage (PER 2).
Montevideo City Torque advanced to the group stage (URU 1).
Boston River advanced to the group stage (URU 2).
Academia Puerto Cabello advanced to the group stage (VEN 1).
Caracas advanced to the group stage (VEN 2).
Notes
References
External links CONMEBOL Sudamericana CONMEBOL.com