Sports · Football · 9 hrs ago
Gremio may argue it can play in the 2027 Libertadores if relegated
Gremio has qualified for the 2027 Copa Libertadores as a finalist in the Copa do Brasil, because Palmeiras already has a place through its league position.
The Porto Alegre club is in Brazil’s Serie A relegation zone, with four rounds left in the season.
A Conmebol rule generally requires clubs to play in their country’s top division in the year of the Libertadores.
But the wording “as a general rule” leaves room for exceptions, and Tigre and Patronato played the Libertadores while in Argentina’s second division after qualifying through domestic cup competitions.
Those cases could give Gremio a legal argument to stay in the tournament if it is relegated.
The club may look for such arguments if it goes down, but no decision on its participation has been made.
Gremio qualified for the 2027 Copa Libertadores as a finalist in the Copa do Brasil, but may be relegated from Brazil’s top division.
The club is in the Serie A relegation zone with four rounds left, according to Olé.
A CONMEBOL rule generally requires participating clubs to be in their country’s top division in the year of the continental competition.
Olé says past cases involving Argentine clubs Tigre and Patronato could support Gremio’s participation if it is relegated.
- Who
- Gremio, a club from Porto Alegre.
- What
- It has qualified for the 2027 Copa Libertadores but may be relegated. It could argue that it should still be allowed to play.
- When
- The issue concerns the 2027 Copa Libertadores. Gremio was in the Serie A relegation zone with four rounds left, as reported on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- Porto Alegre, Brazil.
- Why
- Gremio qualified as a Copa do Brasil finalist after Palmeiras had already secured a Libertadores place through its Brasileirao position. A CONMEBOL rule generally requires participating clubs to be in the top division.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Tigre, already relegated, played in the Libertadores after winning the Copa de la Superliga.
Patronato won the Copa Argentina, earning a place in the Libertadores.
Patronato played in the Libertadores while in Argentina’s second division.
Olé reported that Gremio was in the Serie A relegation zone with four rounds remaining and could look for legal arguments to play in the 2027 Libertadores if relegated.
Gremio is set to enter the Libertadores as a Copa do Brasil finalist, unless its qualification is affected by the division rule.
- Club
- Gremio, Porto Alegre
- Competition
- 2027 Copa Libertadores
- Qualification route
- Finalist in the Copa do Brasil
- League position
- Serie A relegation zone, with four rounds left
- Rule
- CONMEBOL Club Manual section 3.6 generally requires clubs to belong to the top division
- Precedents
- Tigre in 2020 and Patronato in 2023
What people are saying
As a general rule, participating clubs must belong—in all cases—to the Member Association’s First Division competition in the year the continental competition for which they qualified is held.