Final stage: Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana spots update

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·03 de novembro de 2025

Final stage: Copa Libertadores and Sudamericana spots update

The Clausura Tournament of the Professional League has entered its final stage, and in addition to determining the champion and relegations, it has become the main stage for deciding the qualifiers for the 2026 Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana.

Initially, Argentine football will have 12 clubs with international activity next year: six will go to the Copa Libertadores and another six will play in the Copa Sudamericana. However, the decision is dynamic, as one or more spots may be opened depending on the results.

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With the defeat against Gimnasia, River seriously complicates its chances of entering the next Copa Libertadores directly. In the annual table, they have accumulated 52 points, while Boca, the last to enter directly, has 56. That is, there is a four-point difference with six in play.

The top continental competition already has two guaranteed tickets:

Platense, as the champion of the Apertura Tournament.
Rosario Central, which with 65 points has already secured its place through the annual table.

Three more teams will join them:

The winner of the current Clausura.
The winner of the Copa Argentina (which will be either Argentinos Juniors or Independiente Rivadavia).
The other two best placed in the annual table. Currently, Boca (56 points) is in second place after defeating Estudiantes, while River, after losing to Gimnasia (52 points), occupies the third place, in the playoff zone.

Qualification for the Copa Sudamericana

The qualification for the Copa Sudamericana will be for the teams that finish from the fourth to the ninth place in the annual table. Currently, the clubs securing their passage are:

Argentinos Juniors (51 points)
Deportivo Riestra (51 points)
San Lorenzo (49 points)
Barracas Central (47 points)
Racing (46 points)
Lanús (46 points)

It is essential to clarify that, in this race, teams only accumulate points during the 16 dates of the regular phase of the Clausura. The playoff stage to determine the champion does not count for the annual table.

The "released spots" Factor

There is a key factor that could benefit more teams: the release of spots. If the champions coincide with the top positions of the annual table, or if any club repeats a title, spots will be released for classification via the table.

Additionally, the decision can be affected by international results: If Lanús wins the Copa Sudamericana, they will automatically qualify for the Libertadores 2026. For this to release an extra spot for the annual table, the "Granate" must be among the best in the annual table, something they are currently achieving.