The draw for the group phase of the Copa Libertadores is scheduled to take place on Thursday in Paraguay, where Ecuadorian clubs Independiente del Valle, Liga de Quito, and Barcelona SC will find out their rivals. The event is set to begin at 18:00 and will feature special guests, underscoring its significance in South American football.

Independiente del Valle and Liga de Quito qualify directly for this stage due to their achievements as the champions and runner-up, respectively, in previous tournaments. Barcelona SC, on the other hand, secured their spot by successfully navigating the previous qualifying rounds, having defeated notable South American clubs such as Argentinos Juniors from Argentina and Botafogo from Brazil.

As the excitement builds for the upcoming group stage, the draw will categorize the teams into various pots, with impressive teams like Flamengo, Boca Juniors, and Peñarol among others being highlighted. This event is crucial as it sets the tone for how these clubs will compete on the continental stage, with implications for their national and international standings in football.