With Flamengo Champion of the Libertadores Cup And Lanus Conmebol has updated its ranking of the 30 best teams in its association for 2026 as part of the Copa Sudamericana. Although Mengao won the top title, it ranks second in the squad behind it Palmeiras. The third is nothing other than River Plate which, despite its elimination in the quarterfinals, remained on the podium of the places determined by the South American Confederation. It should be made clear that this is not the valid classification Club World Cup.
It should be made clear that this ranking was prepared taking into account the last ten years in Conmebol competitions, both for participation in the Libertadores and the Sudamericana. The first team to appear outside the podium is none other than Boca Juniors, which takes fourth place.
Although the memorable final in Madrid in 2018, in which they lost to their historic rivals, also brings points.
The next Argentine to appear in the rankings is Run which appears in 9th place in the Conmebol rankings after failing in the semi-finals with Flamengo.
After that, Estudiantes de La Plata, which also lost to the Libertadores champions, albeit in the quarterfinals, took 18th place. LanusChampion of the Sudamericana appears at number 21. E Independent in the 24th°, two ahead Vélez, which is at level 26.
⭐️📊 Updated! The 3️⃣0️⃣ best in the CONMEBOL 2026 Club Ranking.#EternalGlory pic.twitter.com/kOlOWFpAOl
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) December 15, 2025
It must be made clear that the race for the Club World Cup is defined differently and only participation in the Copa Libertadores counts, not counting the South American Cup.
Conmebol is aiming for the 2026 Club World Cup and is providing four places for the champions of the 2025 (Flamengo), 2026, 2027 and 2028 Libertadores Cups. The other two tickets, which can be more if there are repeat winners in the top continental competition, will be distributed via a ranking in which the teams in each of the four Libertadores add points.
Unlike the Club World Cup race, the Conmebol rankings are determined by participation in the Libertadores and Sudamericana Cups. Obviously, whoever distributes the most points is the maximum continental competition.
The first point to consider is the last ten years of the Copa Libertadores. This year, for example, the champions Flamengo received 1000 points; The runner-up Palmeiras got 500. The semi-finalists Racing and LDU de Quito got 300. In addition, those who reached the quarterfinals got 200 and the eighth place got 100.
Those who take part in the group phase receive 100 for every game they win and 80 as an extra. In addition, ten percent will be deducted for each year that passes after obtaining the championship. Therefore, Atlético Mineiro’s 1000 from 2024 is now worth 900.
On the other hand, a historical coefficient arises when competitions that are older than ten years are evaluated. There the champions receive 100 points, the runners-up 50 and the semi-finalists 30.
Local championships also contribute to the total. Like the winners of the last ten years, they receive 50 points proportional to their seniority. The youngest gets 100% and the last of the decade only ten. This means that Platense and Estudiantes would distribute 25 points each. With Central’s new title, this coefficient must now certainly be divided by three.
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