Women's Libertadores: new rules and first World Cup spot | OneFootball

Exactly one week from now, that is, next Thursday, September 4, Conmebol will hold the draw for the groups of the 2025 Women's Copa Libertadores. Corinthians will be one of Brazil's representatives in the competition, which is expected to be held in Argentina in October, where they will seek their sixth championship – after all, the Brabas won the continental tournament in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2024.

Considering the proximity of the competition's kickoff, Central do Timão now provides a complete summary of what is at stake in this Libertadores, in addition to details of the regulations and potential opponents that will face Corinthians in the quest for the most important title in South America in this category. Check it out:

Photo: Staff Images Woman/CONMEBOL

Participating Teams

Just like in the last editions, the 2025 Libertadores will feature 16 teams, three of which are Brazilian (São Paulo and Ferroviária complete the local trio). Among the foreign teams, nine are already defined: two clubs from Argentina (Boca Juniors and San Lorenzo), two from Chile (Colo-Colo and Universidad de Chile), two from Paraguay (Libertad and Olimpia), one from Bolivia (Always Ready), one from Peru (Alianza Lima), and one from Uruguay (Nacional).

However, four other clubs are yet to be determined. In Colombia (which has two spots), the National League is in the last round of the second phase. Three teams are already qualified for the semifinals: Deportivo Cali, Orsomarso, and Atlético Nacional, with the last spot being contested by América de Cali, Santa Fé, and Millonarios.

In Ecuador (one spot), the Superliga is in the semifinals, and LDU Quito, Independiente Del Valle, Universidad Católica, and Barcelona are competing for the title. Finally, in Venezuela (one spot), ADIFFEM and Deportivo Táchira are in the final of the FUTVE League – the first leg has already taken place and ended in a 1 x 1 draw.

What's at Stake

In addition to the continental title, the Women's Libertadores will also award a cash prize, the same amount as the 2024 edition. The tournament champions will receive US$ 2 million (about R$ 10.8 million), while the runners-up will receive US$ 600,000 (about R$ 3.2 million) and the third-place teams will receive US$ 250,000 (about R$ 1.4 million).

However, the big news is an unprecedented privilege for the tournament winners: a spot in the first edition of the FIFA Champions Cup, the first world club tournament organized by the entity for women's football. The global competition will be held from October this year, with the final phase scheduled between January 28 and February 1, 2026.

The Libertadores champions will join five other teams in the tournament: Wuhan Jiangda-CHI (Asia champions), Auckland United-NZL (Oceania champions), Gotham FC-USA (North and Central America champions), and Arsenal-ENG (Europe champions). The representatives from Africa are still to be determined, with the continental tournament still in its preliminary stages at the moment.

Regulation

As for the competition rules, the biggest change is the increase in the number of players registered per club, which has gone from 20 to 23 athletes, with at least 16 outfield players and two goalkeepers. Registrations must be made by the next day, September 2, and the allowed numbering ranges from 1 to 99. The technical team can include up to eight members, two of whom must be women.

The rule allowing the replacement of injured players up to 48 hours before the start of the competition has been maintained, except in the case of goalkeepers where the change can occur at any time, provided it is requested 48 hours before each match. Conmebol has left open the possibility of using VAR, not imposing an obligation for the technology at any stage of the tournament.

One detail that stood out: the regulation prohibits "protests against refereeing decisions related to match facts, such decisions being definitive and binding", subjecting clubs to disciplinary sanctions by the entity if they present "unfounded protest or appeal", in Conmebol's view.

The group stage will have 16 teams divided into four groups, with the top two teams from each one moving on to the knockout stage. The tiebreakers prioritize head-to-head, goal difference, goals scored, and fewer cards (red followed by yellow). Two yellow cards result in suspension for the next match, but the count will be reset after the group stage.

See more:

Corinthians seeks to maintain positive record in knockout stages against Athletico-PR

Corinthians opens ticket sales for decisive match against São Paulo in the Women's Brasileirão

Corinthians' men's and women's basketball teams take the court this Wednesday

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.