The quarterfinals of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana kick off this week, bringing 14 Libertadores titles onto the pitch. Boca Juniors, with six trophies (1977, 1978, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2007), São Paulo and Santos, each three-time champions (1992, 1993, and 2005 for Tricolor; 1962, 1963, and 2011 for Peixe), as well as Atlético-MG and Vasco, each champions once, in 2013 and 1998 respectively.

The weight of tradition makes this year’s edition one of the most high-quality in the history of the tournament organized by Conmebol, which is promoting direct clashes between South American football giants in the battle for a place in the semifinals.

The schedule features the first-leg matches from Tuesday (8th) to Thursday (10th) of September, with the return legs set between the 15th and 17th of the same month.

Boca Juniors vs São Paulo: The Weight of Tradition

The clash between São Paulo and Boca Juniors promises to stop the continent. Tricolor Paulista secured their spot by overcoming Bolívar 3-1 at Morumbis, closing the round-of-16 aggregate at 4-2 after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in La Paz.

The run reinforces the team’s strong form at home: in 2026, São Paulo has a 75% win rate at Morumbis across all competitions, with 11 wins, three draws and two defeats in 16 matches at the stadium.

On the other side, Boca Juniors advance to the decisive stage carried by the power of the legendary La Bombonera Stadium and by a defense that conceded just one goal in the two round-of-16 matches, thrashing Deportivo Recoleta 7-1 on aggregate.

The showdown between Boca Juniors and São Paulo opens the quarterfinals in Buenos Aires this Tuesday (September 8), at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), at La Bombonera.

Atlético-MG vs Santos: A Brazilian Classic

Another high-profile duel sets Atlético-MG and Santos face to face, in a matchup marked by contrasting approaches. Galo arrives on a high after eliminating Red Bull Bragantino with a 1-0 win in Bragança Paulista and a 2-2 draw at Arena MRV, closing the tie at 3-2.

So far this season, the Minas Gerais side is eighth in the Brasileirão, with 36 points in 24 games, and as visitors they’ve scored 13 goals and conceded 14 in 13 away matches.

Peixe, meanwhile, comes off a qualification forged at Vila Belmiro: they beat Macará 2-1, coming from behind, with direct contributions from Neymar and Gabigol, and then managed the scoreless draw in Ambato, Ecuador.

READ MORE: Neymar provides 2 assists as Santos defeat Macará in Sudamericana

In the Brasileirão, Santos is in 14th place, with 29 points, and as hosts has 18 goals scored and 17 conceded in 13 matches, a record that highlights the importance of a strong home result in this quarterfinal.

Santos and Atlético-MG square off for the first leg of the quarterfinals at Vila Belmiro this Wednesday (9/9), at 7 p.m.

Vasco in Colombia and a Battle of Surprises

A day earlier, on Tuesday (September 8), at 7 p.m., Vasco da Gama visits Independiente Santa Fe at El Campín Stadium, in Bogotá.

The Cruz-Maltino arrives buoyed by a 4-1 rout of Olimpia in Paraguay, a result which secured their qualification after a goalless draw in the first leg at São Januário, but will be under pressure due to their struggles in the Brasileirão, where they’re fighting against relegation.

Santa Fe comes in motivated after knocking out River Plate on penalties, a clash that concluded the round of 16 at Estadio Más Monumental in Buenos Aires. The return fixture will take place on September 15 at São Januário.

The first leg rounds off on Thursday (September 10), at 9:30 p.m., with the clash between Cienciano and Montevideo City Torque in Peru.

The return legs will be played between September 15 and 17, when the four semifinalists who will continue their fight for the title and the direct group stage berth in next season’s Libertadores will be decided.

The grand final, a single-match showdown, is scheduled for November 21 at the Metropolitano Stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia.

And on Sofascore, you can follow all the details with real-time statistics and data!