Which Brazilian club 🇧🇷 will celebrate? All 2026 Libertadores groups

Rio de Janeiro – The road to continental glory became clearer for Brazil’s representatives on Thursday evening when Conmebol staged the group-stage draw for the 2026 Copa Libertadores. Six Serie A clubs – Flamengo, Corinthians, Palmeiras, Cruzeiro, Mirassol and Fluminense – discovered their opponents in the tournament’s elite phase, setting up a series of high-stakes showdowns that will begin early next year.

With Brazilian football boasting the largest national contingent in the 32-team field, attention immediately turned to how the six sides were distributed across the eight groups. Conmebol’s draw, held at its Luque headquarters, paired each Brazilian club with three international adversaries, ensuring that every matchday will carry significant weight in the battle to reach the knockout rounds.

Flamengo, the most decorated Brazilian outfit still active on the continent, will look to navigate a section that promises both travel challenges and familiar regional styles. Corinthians, returning to the Libertadores after a brief hiatus, must quickly rediscover the defensive steel that once carried them to the trophy. Palmeiras, perennial contenders, were slotted into a group that could test their squad depth, while Cruzeiro’s re-emergence among South America’s heavyweights adds an intriguing subplot to the competition.

Mirassol, the tournament’s surprise package after a stunning domestic campaign, will relish the underdog tag as they prepare for a first-ever Libertadores group stage. Fluminense, fresh off recent domestic cup success, hope to translate that momentum onto the continental stage and cap a memorable era for the Rio club.

The draw also heightened the possibility of an all-Brazilian knockout tie, should two clubs finish as group winners and runners-up in corresponding sections. Such a scenario would guarantee at least one semifinalist from the country and keep alive the dream of a Brazilian champion lifting the trophy in 2026.

Matchday calendars will be released shortly, with the opening round scheduled for late February. Until then, supporters across Brazil will debate which of their clubs is best positioned to survive the group gauntlet and, ultimately, celebrate at the final whistle next November.