Groups and tournament format for 2027 CONMEBOL U-20 South American Championship defined

The groups and tournament format for the 2027 CONMEBOL U-20 South American Championship were officially determined during a draw held at the CONMEBOL headquarters in Luque, Paraguay, on Friday, November 13, 2026. The upcoming tournament will be hosted in Colombia, with matches scheduled to take place in Medellín and Envigado from January 22 to February 7, 2027. According to CONMEBOL, the group stage matches will be played in a single round-robin system, and the top four teams from each group will advance to the Final Phase.

Tournament structure and group assignments

The competition features 10 participating CONMEBOL member associations divided into two groups of five teams each. Group A consists of the host nation Colombia, Paraguay, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. Group B includes Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Bolivia. Following the group stage, the tournament will move into a final phase consisting of quarterfinals, semifinals, and a final.

The stakes for the participating nations are high, as the four semifinalists will qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup. This global tournament is scheduled to be hosted by Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan from September 17 to October 9, 2027. While most officials state that four teams qualify, Colombian media reported that there may be 4.5 qualifying spots available.

Historical context and Colombian hosting

Colombia has a significant history with this competition, having hosted the tournament on five previous occasions in 1964, 1987, 1992, 2005, and 2023. However, there is some uncertainty regarding the total number of times the country has hosted; while some reports suggest it will be the fifth time, other Colombian media reported it will be the sixth time.

The Colombian U-20 national team is currently led by coach César Torres. The team will look to improve upon their performance in the 2023 edition, where Colombia finished in third place. Brazil remains the defending champion of the competition after winning the 2025 edition held in Venezuela. For Colombia, the goal is to reclaim the title, which they last won in 2013.

Venue and match details

According to single-source reports, the tournament matches will be held at the Atanasio Girardot stadium and the Polideportivo Sur. These venues will host the various stages of the competition as teams vie for continental supremacy and a place in the upcoming World Cup. The tournament represents a vital step for young players aiming to reach the international stage.

Glossary

• CONMEBOL — CONMEBOL is a confederation that defines the representatives for the FIFA World Cup. It consists of member associations that participate in qualifying tournaments.
• Medellín — Medellín is the capital of the department of Antioquia and the second-largest city in Colombia. It is located in the Aburrá Valley within the central region of the Andes Mountains.
• Envigado — The Office of Envigado is a criminal organization and drug cartel. It operates throughout Colombia, primarily in the cities of Medellín and Envigado.
• single round-robin system — A format where teams compete in a championship. The team with the most points wins the title.