With Boca already qualified and waiting for River: how the quarter-finals of the Copa Sudamericana would look

The 2026 Copa Sudamericana has begun to enter its decisive stage and already has a good number of teams that will compete in the quarter-finals. Boca Juniors, São Paulo, City Torque, Atlético Mineiro, Cienciano, Vasco da Gama, and Santos have advanced to the next stage, while the last spot will be decided between River and Independiente Santa Fe.

The outcome of that series will be key to completing the bracket and determining the final matchups heading into the semi-finals. Additionally, the presence of River and Boca keeps the possibility of a Superclásico in the semi-finals open, depending on how the bracket is shaped.

Quarter-finals of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana

The first leg matches of the quarter-finals will take place in September. Some matchups already have confirmed venues and dates, while others are still awaiting the resolution of the corresponding series.

First leg matches

Boca Juniors vs. São Paulo — La Bombonera, Buenos Aires. September 9, time to be confirmed.

Independiente Santa Fe/River vs. Vasco da Gama — venue and date to be confirmed.

Atlético Mineiro vs. Santos — venue and date to be confirmed.

City Torque vs. Cienciano — venue and date to be confirmed.

The Xeneize will host São Paulo in the first match of a series that will be decided in Brazil.

Return matches

The return matches will be played a week later. The matchup between Boca and São Paulo already has a confirmed venue:

São Paulo vs. Boca — Morumbi, São Paulo. September 16, time to be confirmed.

Vasco da Gama vs. Independiente Santa Fe/River — venue and date to be confirmed.

Santos vs. Atlético Mineiro — venue and date to be confirmed.

Cienciano vs. City Torque — venue and date to be confirmed.

The result of the series between River and Independiente Santa Fe will be decisive to complete the quarter-finals bracket and definitively establish the path to the semi-finals.

When and where is the final of the Sudamericana 2026?

The final of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana is scheduled for November 21 in Barranquilla, Colombia. The teams that advance past the quarter-finals will move on to a semi-final stage that could feature as one of its major attractions an eventual Superclásico between River and Boca.