The CONMEBOL Libertadores, officially known as the Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores, is South America’s premier club football tournament, organized annually by the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL). The 2025 edition marks its 66th occurrence, with the competition having commenced on February 4, 2025, and the final scheduled for November 29, 2025.
The tournament features clubs from ten South American countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The competition is structured with several phases:
- Qualifying Stages: Beginning on February 4, 2025, these stages determine the final teams entering the group phase.
- Group Stage: Following the qualifiers, the group stage features 32 teams divided into eight groups of four. Each group engages in a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout rounds.
- Knockout Rounds: The tournament progresses through the Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and concludes with the Final in November 2025.
As of March 12, 2025, the third phase of the qualifying rounds is underway, with matches scheduled between March 4 and March 13, 2025. This phase is crucial for teams aiming to secure their spot in the group stages.
Recent developments include a notable match where Barcelona de Guayaquil achieved a decisive 3-0 victory over Corinthians, placing them in a favorable position for group stage qualification.
Additionally, the CONMEBOL has faced criticism for perceived leniency in sanctions related to racial abuse incidents during the tournament.
For comprehensive and up-to-date information, including match schedules, team standings, and official announcements, you can visit the official CONMEBOL Libertadores website.