The draw for the group stage of the 2026 Copa Libertadores is scheduled for this Friday, March 19, at 8 PM Argentine time, to be held at the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) headquarters in Luque, Paraguay. This year marks the return of Boca Juniors to the tournament, where they hold the record as the second most successful club with six titles, following a two-year hiatus. Surprisingly, River Plate will not be participating for the first time in 12 years.

During the same ceremony, the groups for the Copa Sudamericana will also be announced. River Plate, alongside five other Argentine clubs—Racing, San Lorenzo, Tigre, Barracas Central, and Deportivo Riestra—will compete in the Copa Sudamericana. The event is significant not only for Boca Juniors’ return but also for the notable absence of River Plate, raising questions about the implications for Argentine football as the tournament prepares to showcase top clubs from South America.

This edition of the Copa Libertadores is poised to draw significant attention, especially given Boca's rich history in the competition and the absence of another traditional powerhouse, River Plate. Fans and analysts alike are likely to closely scrutinize the draw and its potential impact on the performance of these Argentine clubs in international competitions, as well as the overall strength of South American football on the world stage.