The latest edition of the continental contest will feature four teams representing Colombia.
The 2023 South American Cup will begin with four Colombian clubs, chosen as the best performers in the 2022 Total Reclassification who did not secure a Libertadores berth. The teams are Deportes Tolima, Junior, Santa Fe, and Golden Eagles. They will aim to advance to the next phase through the qualifying rounds once the series setup is finalized.
The Phase I draw happened on Tuesday, December 20, revealing the matchups for the local clubs and setting the tone for their path in the competition.
This is how Colombian clubs chase glory beyond their domestic league.
THE COLOMBIAN QUALIFICATION
Santa Fe
During the opening phase, teams from each federation face opponents from their own country in a single match. The games are scheduled for the week of March 8. In other words, two ties were created among the Colombian clubs and the remaining slots were filled by a lottery system.
Matchups:
- Deportes Tolima vs. Junior, in Ibague
- Golden Eagles vs. Santa Fe, in Rionegro
The winners of these ties will advance to the Group Stage, where they will share a group with three other teams drawn in March after Phase I concludes.
From the group stage, the top team advances directly to the knockout round of 16, while the second-placed team enters a playoff against teams that advanced from the Copa Libertadores as third in their respective groups.