In February, the 2026 Copa Libertadores and the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup will kick off. While the larger teams will join later rounds, some eager clubs will compete in the early stages, hoping for a successful run in the tournament.
Three Copa Libertadores Matches Begin in February
The Copa Libertadores starts with three “first-stage” matches between February 3 and February 12, before the next stage commences later in the month. The initial matchups are The Strongest (Bolivia) vs Deportivo Táchira (Venezuela), Juventud (Uruguay) vs Universidad Católica (Ecuador), and 2 de Mayo (Paraguay) vs Alianza Lima (Peru).
Deportivo Táchira is back in the Libertadores after a long time away. Venezuelan clubs have often faced challenges in CONMEBOL competitions due to issues in the domestic league, which is affected by ongoing economic and political struggles. The Strongest hopes to use their home advantage in La Paz, where the high altitude often plays a crucial role. Notably, Bolivia and Venezuela have yet to produce a Libertadores finalist, and their teams usually find it tough in away matches.
Universidad Católica enters the tournament with confidence after winning the 2025 Copa Ecuador, which is the most significant trophy in the club’s history. Ranked as the fourth-best team in Liga Ecuabet, Católica believes they can compete well against Juventud, especially as Uruguay’s domestic league has faced financial limitations.
Alianza Lima comes into the match energized by a solid 3–0 friendly win over Inter Miami. Although they have faced obstacles in domestic competitions against Universitario, Alianza performed well in their last Libertadores campaign and considers themselves favorites against 2 de Mayo, a club that has not yet claimed a major title in Paraguay.