Confirmed: Boca now know their Copa Sudamericana play-off rivals | OneFootball

After the end of the group stage in both continental tournaments, the math delivered its verdict and Boca already knows its opponent in the Copa Sudamericana playoffs. The Xeneize will face Chile’s O'Higgins for a place in the round of 16. Everything you need to know about the series.

With the Copa Sudamericana group stage now fully concluded, the playoff bracket for the round of 32 has been set, a stage where the teams dropping down from the Copa Libertadores will look for redemption against the runners-up from the second continental competition. For Boca Juniors, the picture is now 100% clear: the opponent will be Chile’s O'Higgins.

Boca will face Chile’s O'Higgins in the round of 32 of the 2026 Sudamericana.

In the Libertadores, Boca finished its Group D campaign with 7 points (+1 goal difference and 6 goals scored). Those numbers placed it as the 5th-best third-placed team in the tournament, ahead of teams such as Medellín, Cristal, and Bolívar.

In the Sudamericana, O'Higgins finished second in Group C with 10 points (+2 goal difference and 8 goals scored), mathematically becoming the 4th-best runner-up in the competition. The tournament rules state that the 5th team from one table faces the 4th from the other, thus sealing the fate of Claudio Úbeda’s side.

When Boca vs O'Higgins will be played in the Sudamericana

Beyond knowing the opponent, there is a key regulatory point that the Xeneize will have to keep in mind when planning the tie. CONMEBOL rewards teams originating from the Copa Sudamericana by giving them the right to host the second leg.

Boca was eliminated from the 2026 Libertadores in the group stage, something that had not happened since 1994.

For this reason, the first leg will be played during the week of Wednesday, July 23, at La Bombonera, where Boca will be under pressure to make the most of home advantage and take a lead on the scoreboard. The return leg and the series decider will take place one week later in Chile, at El Teniente Stadium in Rancagua, where the Xeneize will have to secure its place in the round of 16 away from its fans.

The road toward the "Other Half of Glory" now has its first obstacle on the schedule and its destination confirmed. It will be a matter of rediscovering its footballing identity to overcome the Chileans and keep dreaming of an international title.

Keep reading:

Boca’s player ratings in the Libertadores elimination against Católica

Boca eliminated from the Libertadores and will play in the Sudamericana playoffs

Another Boca embarrassment: eliminated from the Libertadores at La Bombonera

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