BOGOTÁ – The path is now set for Colombian clubs Millonarios and América de Cali in the 2026 CONMEBOL Sudamericana, following their successful navigation of the preliminary stages. Both teams secured their places in the group stage, eliminating Atlético Nacional and Bucaramanga respectively and now await the draw to discover their opponents. The anticipation centers on not only who they’ll face, but also where they’ll land in the competition’s seeding.
Millonarios, under the guidance of Fabián Bustos, overcame a tough tie against Atlético Nacional, winning 3-1 at the Estadio Atanasio Girardot with a standout performance from Contreras. América de Cali, meanwhile, battled to a 2-1 victory over Bucaramanga at the Estadio Pascual Guerrero, securing their spot in the competition and fueling hopes for a strong showing in 2026.
With the first phase of the Sudamericana complete, the draw pots have been established, pending the outcomes of the Copa Libertadores Phase 3. Teams eliminated from the Libertadores competition will be placed in Pot 4 of the Sudamericana, meaning the full lineup of group stage participants will be finalized next week. The draw itself is scheduled for March 19th in Asunción.
Copa Sudamericana: Pot Assignments for Millonarios and América de Cali
The positioning of teams within the pots is determined by their ranking in the CONMEBOL Ranking, a system that favored both América and Millonarios. This placement is crucial as it influences the potential difficulty of their group stage opponents.
América de Cali has been placed in Pot 1, alongside teams considered among the most powerful in the competition, such as River and Racing. This is a favorable position for the Colombian side, offering the potential to avoid some of the tournament’s heavyweights early on. Millonarios, will be in Pot 2, which is also considered a positive outcome, increasing their chances of avoiding the most challenging opponents in the initial group stage draw.
Should Medellín or Tolima be eliminated from the Copa Libertadores Phase 3, they would be placed in Pot 4, adding further complexity to the draw possibilities.
Potential Opponents for América and Millonarios
Here’s a breakdown of potential rivals for the Colombian clubs, based on the current pot assignments:
Pot 1
- River
- Racing
- América de Cali
- Sao Paulo
- Atlético Mineiro
- Gremio
- Olimpia
- Santos
Pot 2
- Millonarios
- San Lorenzo
- Bragantino
- Palestino
- Caracas
- Vasco da Gama
- Tigre
- Melgar/Cienciano
Pot 3
- Audax Italiano
- Blooming
- Academia Puerto Cabello
- Montevideo City Torque
- Deportivo Cuenca
- Independiente Petrolero
- Boston River
- Macará/Orense
Pot 4
(To be determined based on Copa Libertadores Phase 3 results)
When is the Copa Sudamericana Group Stage Draw?
The draw for the Copa Sudamericana group stage will take place on Thursday, March 19th. The group stage matches are scheduled to initiate in April. Fans in Colombia will need to account for the time difference, as Asunción operates on a different time zone. The draw will provide a clearer picture of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for both Millonarios and América de Cali as they continue their continental campaigns.
The financial implications of reaching the group stage are also significant. América de Cali has already secured $900,000 USD from CONMEBOL for reaching this stage, a welcome boost to the club’s finances as they invest in the 2026 season. This prize money underscores the growing importance of the Sudamericana as a revenue source for South American clubs.
For Millonarios and América de Cali, the focus now shifts to preparing for the group stage and analyzing the potential opponents. The draw on March 19th will be a pivotal moment, shaping their paths towards potential glory in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana. The competition promises to be fierce, but both Colombian clubs have demonstrated their ability to overcome challenges and are well-positioned to make a deep run in the tournament.
The success of both clubs also highlights the growing strength of Colombian football on the continental stage. With Millonarios and América de Cali representing the nation in the Sudamericana group stage, Colombian fans have plenty to look forward to in the months ahead.
Next up for both teams is preparation for the group stage, with the draw on March 19th dictating their immediate future. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the Copa Sudamericana and the journeys of Millonarios and América de Cali.
