Boca or O’Higgins: The playoff deciding Recoleta's next opponent in the Copa Sudamericana

Recoleta FC has its immediate path in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana mapped out, with a round of 16 clash awaiting against the victor of a playoff between Argentine club Boca Juniors and Chile's O’Higgins.

The playoff series, a crucial step determining Recoleta's next opponent, is slated to occur between August 11 and 20, according to the draw conducted by CONMEBOL. This setup means the Paraguayan team, often referred to as "canario," will have to wait to know the exact profile of their rival, though their planning for the subsequent round remains on track.

This phase of the tournament follows the North American World Cup and includes playoff matches from July 21 to 30. In this bridge round, the second-placed teams from the Copa Sudamericana group stage will compete against the third-placed teams from the Copa Libertadores in two-legged ties. The Boca Juniors vs. O’Higgins matchup is one such playoff.

CONMEBOL has also confirmed that the grand final of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana will be contested on November 21 at the Estadio Metropolitano in Barranquilla, Colombia. The champion not only lifts the trophy but also secures a direct spot in the 2027 Copa Libertadores group stage and a place in the 2027 Recopa Sudamericana.