Conmebol sets Libertadores last-16 draw date and time, Palmeiras paths | OneFootball

Conmebol confirmed this week the date and time of the draw for the round of 16 of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores. The event will take place on May 29 at 12 p.m. (Brasília time), determining the knockout-stage matchups in South America’s main club competition.

Palmeiras’ situation

Palmeiras heads into the decisive final round of the group stage facing an unusual situation in the Abel Ferreira era. Although they still depend only on themselves to advance, Verdão risks finishing the first phase in second place in the group — and, in a remote scenario, even being eliminated from the competition.

To secure first place in the group, Palmeiras need to beat Junior Barranquilla at Allianz Parque and hope for a Cerro Porteño loss against Sporting Cristal. If the Paraguayans only draw, Palmeiras and Cerro would finish level on points, but the Paraguayan club would have the edge in the head-to-head tiebreaker.

If they advance in second place, Verdão could face any group winner as early as the round of 16. The draw will be held with two pots and will have no matchup restrictions, even allowing clashes between clubs from the same country.

The possibility of qualifying in second place would put Palmeiras in an unprecedented situation under Abel Ferreira, who has grown used to dominant Libertadores group-stage campaigns in recent years.

In addition, there is still a small chance of elimination. For that to happen, Palmeiras would need to lose to Junior Barranquilla while Sporting Cristal beat Cerro Porteño, a combination that would completely shake up the group table.

Verdão’s next match

Flamengo vs. Palmeiras – Brasileirão – 05/23 – 9 p.m. (Brasília time)

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