With World Cup call-up, can Paredes play last Libertadores tie? | OneFootball

Alarm bells went off at Boca over the possible loss of Leandro Paredes after FIFA confirmed the 2026 World Cup calendar: the mandatory rest and player release period will begin on May 25. That date put the world champion’s availability for the end of the Copa Libertadores group stage in doubt, with the match scheduled just three days later.

However, a recent official CONMEBOL circular brought the expected relief to the Xeneize: international players, including their captain, will be allowed to stay with their clubs to play the final matchday of continental competitions.

With the countdown to the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada already underway, concerns about losing called-up stars at a decisive stage of the Copa Libertadores have been cleared up. The official response, backed by the updated regulations, confirms that clubs will be able to keep their national team players for a few more days than originally expected.

Leandro Paredes will be able to play Boca’s last match and then join the national team.

FIFA regulations state that the mandatory rest, preparation, and player release period will begin without exception on May 25, 2026, which is three days before Xeneize play their final group-stage match against Universidad Católica at La Bombonera on Thursday the 28th.

However, due to the overlap with competitions in our continent, the rules were updated this year. The recent circular from the South American Football Confederation clearly establishes the exception.

"The mandatory release period and the rest and preparation period for the competition begin on May 25, 2026. Exceptions will apply to players participating in the final matches of the confederations’ club competitions and in the last round of group-stage matches in those competitions, up to and including May 30, 2026".

This clarification is vital, since it explicitly includes the final round of the group stage, allowing South American teams to keep their players. This also applies to those playing in the Champions League final.

Leandro Paredes will be able to play against Católica

This decision is excellent news for teams like Boca, who will be guaranteed the availability of key pieces to wrap up their group-stage campaign. The most emblematic case is Leandro Paredes, the driving force in Boca’s midfield and a regular for Argentina’s world champion national team.

Paredes is preparing for the World Cup.

Boca will not only keep their Albiceleste star for those decisive matches, but the measure also applies to other players in the squad with World Cup chances, such as Paraguayans Adam Bareiro and Ángel Romero, who could be called up by Gustavo Alfaro.

Keep reading:

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Boca, take note: how the table stands after the match between Católica and Cruzeiro

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.