What Happened
Panamanian players will have a notable presence in CONMEBOL’s top club competitions after the group-stage draw for the 2026 Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana at CONMEBOL headquarters on Thursday night. The draw confirmed group opponents for three Panamanian players in the Libertadores and three in the Sudamericana.
Panamanian representatives and groups
In the Copa Libertadores, goalkeeper Luis Mejía will compete with Nacional (Uruguay) in Group B, alongside Universitario (Peru), Coquimbo Unido (Chile) and Deportes Tolima (Colombia).
Jorge Gutiérrez was drawn with Deportivo La Guaira (Venezuela) in Group C, where his team will face Fluminense (Brazil), Bolívar (Bolivia) and Independiente Rivadavia (Argentina).
Alexander González will represent Universidad Central de Venezuela in Group H, against Independiente del Valle (Ecuador), Libertad (Paraguay) and Rosario Central (Argentina).
Sudamericana lineup with Panamanian players
The Copa Sudamericana will also feature three Panamanian players. Kadir Barría joins Botafogo and Irving Gudiño is with Caracas; both clubs were placed in Group E with Racing (Argentina) and Independiente Petrolero (Bolivia).
Jiovany Ramos will play for Academia Puerto Cabello (Venezuela), which landed in Group B and will meet Atlético Mineiro (Brazil), Cienciano (Peru) and Juventud (Uruguay).
Background
The Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana are CONMEBOL’s most historic and prestigious club competitions. The draw determines the group-stage routes each club — and their players — must navigate as they aim to advance to the knockout phases.
What this means
The group-stage draw sets the stage for Panamanian players to test themselves against established South American clubs across several countries. Matchups in both tournaments provide exposure for the players and their clubs on a continental stage, and give Panamanian football fans multiple opportunities to follow compatriots competing at high levels in 2026.