Now it’s official: the Botafogo will face the challenge of altitude in the second preliminary phase of Libertadores-2026. The Strongest or Potosi National will be on the path to Glorioso, after the definition of the final of the Bolivian Cup (officially called Copa Paceña) this Thursday (12/18).
Nacional Potosí qualified for the final by beating the The Strongest 1-0 this Thursday – they had already won the first game 2-1. The opponent in the final will be Bolívarwho thrashed the Blooming (which goes to the South American Championship) 5-0 in La Paz.
Nacional Potosí will be Botafogo’s opponent if they win the Copa Paceña. If Bolívar wins the title, classified for the group stage as Bolivian runner-up, the place will go to The Strongest, 3rd placed in the league.
The Strongest sends its games on Hernando Siles Stadiumem The Pazwhich is 3.578m of altitude. Nacional Potosí operates in the Víctor Agustín Ugarte Stadiumem Potosi, 3.885m above sea level.
The Copa Paceña finals will be played round-trip, on dates to be defined. Botafogo’s games against the Bolivian representative will be in February 18in Bolivia, and February 25that Nilton Santos, both at 9:30 pm (Brasília time).
The Copa Paceña decision between Nacional Potosí and Bolívar also matters for the Bahia. Tricolor may face, in the third preliminary phase, The Strongest (if Nacional is champion) or San Antonio Bulo Bulo (if the title goes to Bolívar).
Bolivian scenarios in the ‘pre-Libertadores’:
IF NATIONAL POTOSÍ IS CHAMPION OF THE BOLIVIA CUP
– Nacional Potosí will be “Bolivia 3” and will face Botafogo in the 2nd preliminary phase of the Libertadores
– The Strongest, 3rd placed in the Bolivian Championship, becomes “Bolivia 4” and faces Deportivo Táchira in the 1st preliminary phase. Whoever passes from there will face Bahia or O’Higgins in the 3rd phase
IF BOLIVAR IS BOLIVIA CUP CHAMPION
– The Strongest will be “Bolivia 3” and will face Botafogo in the 2nd preliminary phase of the Libertadores
– San Antonio Bulo Bulo, 4th place in the Bolivian Championship, becomes “Bolivia 4” and faces Táchira in the 1st preliminary phase. Whoever passes this match can face Bahia in the 3rd phase
LDU or Barcelona-EQU could be rivals in the 3rd phase
If Botafogo passes the Bolivian club in the second phase, they will face the winner of the duel between Argentinos Juniors and 3rd place in the Ecuadorian Championshipwhich has the last round scheduled for next Sunday (21). Barcelona, vice-leader with 67 points, faces the champion Valley Independent away from home, while LDU (3rd) has 66 and receives the Catholic University.
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