Santiago, Chile – The anticipation is building as Chile prepares to host the inaugural Copa Duelo Leyendas de América 2026, a tournament promising a nostalgic spectacle for football fans across the continent. From March 27th to 29th, the Claro Arena will be transformed into a battleground for South American footballing icons, all vying for continental glory in a unique “Fútbol 7” format.
Eight nations – Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, and host nation Chile – will compete in the tournament, bringing together a wealth of talent and experience. The event isn’t just a celebration of past achievements; it’s a chance for these legends to reignite rivalries and demonstrate that the beautiful game knows no age.
Adriano Steps In, Replacing Ronaldinho in Star-Studded Lineup
While the prospect of seeing Ronaldinho grace the pitch had generated significant excitement, organizers confirmed the Brazilian superstar will be unable to participate due to “unavoidable last-minute commitments.” However, fans will still be treated to a formidable Brazilian presence, as “Emperador” Adriano has been added to the roster. Adriano, a key figure in Brazil’s 2004 Copa América and 2005 Confederations Cup triumphs, adds considerable firepower to an already impressive lineup.
The tournament boasts a constellation of stars, including Adriano, Jorge “Mago” Valdivia, Diego Lugano, Juan Pablo Sorín, Mario Yepes, Paulo Da Silva, Maicon, Giovanni Hernández, Flavio Maestri, Matías Fernández, Luis Fabiano, Roberto “El Pato” Abbondanzieri, Lucas Barrios, Lucio, Juan Arango, and Macnelly Torres. These players, each with decorated careers, represent a golden era of South American football.
Chile Prepares for “Clásico del Pacífico” and Tournament Debut
The Chilean national team of legends, under the guidance of coach Juvenal Olmos, completed their final preparations this week. Training sessions focused on refining the team’s physical conditioning and solidifying tactical approaches ahead of the competition. Following the unavailability of José “Pepe” Rojas and Humberto “Chupete” Suazo, Olmos has finalized his squad, which now includes Paulo Garcés, Gonzalo Jara, Marcos González, Albert Acevedo, Cristian Álvarez, Roberto Cereceda, Gonzalo Fierro, Jorge Acuña, Jorge “Mago” Valdivia, Matías Fernández (captain), Carlos Villanueva, and Roberto “Pájarro” Gutiérrez.
Chile will face Peru in a highly anticipated “Clásico del Pacífico” to close out the opening day of the tournament. This fixture is expected to draw significant attention, setting the stage for a thrilling three days of competition.
Full Squad Lists Confirmed for Copa Duelo Leyendas de América
The official rosters for all seven visiting nations have been confirmed, revealing a remarkable collection of talent. Here’s a breakdown of each team:
- Brazil: Jefferson, Heurelho Gomes, Maicon, Cris, Roque Júnior, Lucio, Emerson, Michel Bastos, Giovanni, Luis Fabiano, Paulo Sérgio, and Adriano. Marco Paquetá will serve as the Director Técnico.
- Argentina: Pato Abbondanzieri, Leandro Cufré, Gonzalo Rodríguez, Juan Pablo Sorín, Guillermo Pereyra, Pablo Guiñazú, Rubens Sambueza, Augusto Fernández, Andrés D´Alessandro, Gonzalo Bergessio, César Delgado, and Ariel Ortega. Marcelo Espina is the Director Técnico.
- Uruguay: Fabián Carini, Juan Castillo, Diego Lugano, Jorge Fucile, Mauricio Victorino, Álvaro Pereira, Darío Rodríguez, Álvaro González, Gonzalo Castro, Fabián Canobbio, and Fabián Estoyanoff. Gregorio Pérez will lead the team as Director Técnico.
- Paraguay: Diego Barreto, Carlos Bonet, Paulo Da Silva, Darío Verón, Jonathan Santana, Roberto Acuña, Luis Riveros, Osvaldo Martínez, Marcelo Estigarribia, Óscar Cardozo, Santiago Salcedo, and Lucas Barrios. Rogelio Delgado is the Director Técnico.
- Colombia: Faryd Mondragón, Óscar Córdoba, Mario Yepes, Carlos Valdés, Gerardo Bedoya, Fabián Vargas, John Restrepo, Camilo Zúñiga, Giovanni Hernández, Macnelly Torres, Giovanni Moreno, and Jackson Martínez. Francisco Maturana will be the Director Técnico.
- Peru: Johnny Vegas, Leao Butrón, Jorge Soto, Manuel Marengo, Amilton Prado, Carlos Lobatón, Juan Jayo Legario, Aldo Cavero, Ysrael Zúñiga, Luis Ramírez, Flavio Maestri, and Andrés Mendoza. Juan Carlos Canabillas is the Director Técnico.
- Venezuela: Renny Vega, Gabriel Cichero, José Manuel Rey, David Mcintosh, Andrés Rouga, Jorge Rojas, Luis Vera, Alejandro Guerra, Juan Arango, Stalin Rivas, and Giancarlo Maldonado. Nehomar Matías will serve as Director Técnico.
Opening Day Schedule: A Festival of Football
The Copa Duelo Leyendas de América 2026 kicks off this Friday, March 27th, with a special exhibition match featuring the Chile Creators Selection against their Peruvian counterparts at 2:30 PM local time. This serves as a prelude to the official tournament matches.
The official action begins at 4:00 PM with a clash between Uruguay and Paraguay, promising a physical and competitive encounter. Argentina will then face Colombia at 5:20 PM, followed by Brazil taking on Venezuela at 6:40 PM. Adding to the festive atmosphere, Chilean artist Dj Méndez will perform a family-friendly show at 7:30 PM before the highly anticipated debut of the Chilean legends against Peru at 8:00 PM, renewing the “Clásico del Pacífico.”
Tickets for the Copa Duelo Leyendas de América 2026 are available for purchase through Punto Ticket, with prices ranging from $23,000 to $402,500.
The Copa Duelo Leyendas de América 2026 promises to be more than just a football tournament; it’s a celebration of South American footballing heritage, a chance to relive iconic moments, and an opportunity to witness the magic of these legends one last time. The Claro Arena in Santiago is set to become the epicenter of South American football nostalgia this weekend.
What’s Next: The tournament begins this Friday, March 27th, with the Chile Creators Selection vs. Peru at 2:30 PM local time. Stay tuned to Archysport for updates and coverage throughout the event.
What are your predictions for the tournament? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
