As of March 19, 2025, the Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores, South America’s premier club football tournament, is gearing up for an exhilarating 66th edition. Organized by CONMEBOL, the competition began its qualifying stages on February 4, 2025, and is set to conclude with the final on November 29, 2025. With Botafogo as the defending champions following their 2024 triumph over Atlético Mineiro, 47 teams from 10 member associations are in the hunt for the coveted title. As we stand today, the qualifying rounds have wrapped up, and the group stage draw, conducted on March 17, 2025, in Luque, Paraguay, has revealed the eight groups of four teams each. Let’s explore where we are right now, including the full breakdown of the groups and the teams within them.
A Brief Overview of Copa Libertadores 2025
The tournament structure includes three qualifying stages, which concluded on March 13, 2025, determining the final four teams to join the 28 direct entrants in the group stage. The stakes are high: the champion will secure spots in the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup, the 2026 Recopa Sudamericana, and an automatic berth in the 2026 Copa Libertadores group stage. The group stage, starting April 1, 2025, will see 32 teams compete in a home-and-away round-robin format, with the top two from each group advancing to the round of 16 and third-placed teams dropping into the Copa Sudamericana knockout play-offs.
The Qualifying Stages: A Recap
The qualifying rounds were a proving ground for 19 teams, with only four emerging to join the group stage:
- First Stage (February 4–13, 2025): El Nacional (Ecuador), Alianza Lima (Peru), and Monagas (Venezuela) advanced.
- Second Stage (February 18–27, 2025): Eight teams progressed, including Bahia (Brazil) and Deportes Iquique (Chile).
- Third Stage (March 4–13, 2025): The qualifiers were:
- Alianza Lima (Peru) defeated Tolima (Colombia) 3–2 on aggregate.
- Bahia (Brazil) beat Deportes Iquique (Chile) 1–0 on aggregate.
- Cerro Porteño (Paraguay) crushed Oriente Petrolero (Bolivia) 5–2 on aggregate.
- Barcelona SC (Ecuador) edged Defensor Sporting (Uruguay) 3–2 on aggregate.
These four joined the 28 pre-qualified teams, setting the stage for the group draw.
The Group Stage Draw: Groups and Teams
The group stage draw on March 17, 2025, at the CONMEBOL Convention Centre in Luque, Paraguay, sorted the 32 teams into eight groups (A–H) of four, adhering to the rule that teams from the same country cannot be in the same group, except for third-stage qualifiers in Pot 4. Botafogo, the defending champions, were seeded in Group A, position A1. Here are the groups and the teams in each, based on the latest official updates:
- Group A:
- Botafogo (Brazil)
- Estudiantes de La Plata (Argentina)
- Universidad de Chile (Chile)
- Carabobo FC (Venezuela)
- Group B:
- River Plate (Argentina)
- Barcelona SC (Ecuador) – Third-stage qualifier
- Independiente del Valle (Ecuador)
- Deportivo Táchira (Venezuela)
- Group C:
- Flamengo (Brazil)
- LDU Quito (Ecuador)
- Junior FC (Colombia)
- Millonarios (Colombia)
- Group D:
- São Paulo (Brazil)
- Alianza Lima (Peru) – Third-stage qualifier
- Colo-Colo (Chile)
- The Strongest (Bolivia)
- Group E:
- Racing Club (Argentina)
- Fortaleza (Brazil)
- Atlético Nacional (Colombia)
- Huachipato (Chile)
- Group F:
- Internacional (Brazil)
- Nacional (Uruguay)
- Vélez Sarsfield (Argentina)
- Monagas (Venezuela)
- Group G:
- Palmeiras (Brazil)
- Bolívar (Bolivia)
- Sporting Cristal (Peru)
- Cerro Porteño (Paraguay) – Third-stage qualifier
- Group H:
- Peñarol (Uruguay)
- Olimpia (Paraguay)
- Bahia (Brazil) – Third-stage qualifier
- Unión Española (Chile)
These groups reflect the balance of powerhouses, qualifiers, and regional diversity, promising competitive clashes from the outset.
Key Storylines to Watch
- Botafogo’s Title Defense: After their 3–1 victory in 2024, Botafogo face a tough Group A with Estudiantes, Universidad de Chile, and Carabobo. Can they repeat their success?
- Brazilian Dominance: With seven teams—Botafogo, Flamengo, Palmeiras, São Paulo, Fortaleza, Internacional, and Bahia—Brazil is a force. Their spread across groups ensures multiple high-profile matchups.
- Rivalries and Derbies: Group B pits Ecuadorian rivals Barcelona SC and Independiente del Valle together, while Group C features Colombian clubs Junior and Millonarios, setting up intense local battles.
- Qualifier Impact: The third-stage winners—Alianza Lima, Bahia, Cerro Porteño, and Barcelona SC—add unpredictability. Their early resilience could translate into group stage surprises.
- The Final Venue: Still unconfirmed, potential hosts like Brasília’s Mané Garrincha or Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario will influence the tournament’s climax.
What’s Next?
The group stage kicks off on April 1, 2025, with the first matchday schedule already confirmed by CONMEBOL. Teams are in the final stages of preparation, and fans are eagerly awaiting fixtures like Botafogo vs. Estudiantes in Group A or Palmeiras vs. Cerro Porteño in Group G. The coming weeks will see tactical planning intensify as clubs aim to secure early points in this six-match group phase, which runs through June 2025.
The Copa Libertadores 2025 is shaping up to be a rollercoaster of emotion, skill, and drama. With the groups now set, the countdown to April 1 is on, and South American football is ready to deliver another unforgettable chapter. Whether you’re cheering for a giant like Flamengo or an underdog like Carabobo, this tournament’s unpredictability is its heartbeat—stay tuned for the action!
