Barcelona Sporting Club of Ecuador has advanced to the third phase of the 2026 Copa Libertadores, despite a 1-1 draw against El Nacional in the second leg of their qualifying tie. The result, secured on , was sufficient to see Barcelona through, having won the first leg 1-0 in Quito.
The progression of Barcelona marks another step in the complex qualifying process for South America’s premier club competition. The 2026 Copa Libertadores qualifying stages, which began on , and are scheduled to conclude on , will ultimately determine four of the 32 teams that will participate in the group stage.
The draw for these qualifying stages was conducted on , at the CONMEBOL Convention Centre in Luque, Paraguay. Teams were seeded based on a CONMEBOL Clubs ranking calculated as of , taking into account performance over the past decade, historical results, and domestic league success.
The qualifying process is structured in stages. The first stage involved six teams drawn into three ties, with the higher-seeded team hosting the second leg. The second stage, currently underway, features 16 teams drawn into eight ties, again with the higher-seeded team hosting the return fixture. Teams from the same national association are generally kept apart in the draw, with exceptions made for the winners of the first stage.
Earlier draws revealed some of the initial pairings. In the first stage, Alianza Lima of Peru was drawn against Deportivo Táchira of Venezuela, Universidad Católica faced 2 de Mayo, and The Strongest of Bolivia was matched with Juventud. The identity of the Bolivian team was not fully confirmed at the time of the draw, necessitating its placement in the second pot.
The CONMEBOL Clubs ranking system, used for seeding, considers three key factors. Performance in the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana over the ten-year period from 2016 to 2025 carries significant weight. A historical coefficient, based on results in the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana from 1960 to 2015 and 2002 to 2015 respectively, also contributes. Finally, bonus points are awarded to champions of domestic leagues over the last ten years.
The broader context of the Copa Libertadores qualifying stages highlights the increasing competitiveness of South American club football. The expanded qualifying process reflects a desire by CONMEBOL, the South American Football Confederation, to ensure that the most deserving teams gain access to the tournament. What we have is particularly important given the financial rewards and prestige associated with participation in the group stage.
The qualifying rounds also provide a platform for smaller clubs to compete against more established teams, potentially leading to upsets and unexpected qualification stories. The involvement of teams like 2 de Mayo and Juventud demonstrates the ambition of clubs from less traditional footballing nations to make their mark on the continental stage.
The competition is not limited to Ecuadorian clubs. Bahia and Botafogo of Brazil have also learned their qualifying ties, indicating the widespread interest and participation from across the continent. Further details regarding their opponents and match schedules are expected to be released by CONMEBOL in the coming days.
The progression of Barcelona Sporting Club is a significant moment for Ecuadorian football. It represents an opportunity for the club to compete against some of the best teams in South America and potentially advance to the knockout stages of the competition. The club’s success will also likely boost morale and generate excitement among fans in Ecuador.
While the focus is currently on the qualifying stages, attention is also turning to the group stage draw, which will determine the composition of the eight groups. The draw will be influenced by the final results of the qualifying rounds and the seeding of the teams that have already secured their places in the competition.
The 2026 Copa Libertadores promises to be a fiercely contested tournament, with a number of teams vying for the coveted title. The qualifying stages are a crucial component of the competition, providing a pathway for ambitious clubs to realize their dreams of continental glory. The advancement of Barcelona Sporting Club is a testament to the growing strength and competitiveness of Ecuadorian football, and their journey through the tournament will be closely watched by fans across the region.
The draw for the qualifying stages, held in December 2025, mirrored the process used in the previous year, 2024, where the draw took place on . The seeding criteria remained consistent, emphasizing recent performance, historical results, and domestic league achievements. In the 2025 draw, Alianza Lima, El Nacional, Defensor Sporting, Nacional, Monagas, and Blooming were among the teams initially drawn into the first stage.
