Colombians all over Conmebol: eight round-of-16 ties in Libertadores and Sudamericana feature national talent

Eight ties, four countries and one common thread: in nearly all of them, a Colombian is making an impact. This week marks the start of the round of 16 in the Conmebol Libertadores and the Conmebol Sudamericana 2026, and even though Colombian soccer had to deal with tough news off the field, national talent is still front and center across the continent.

The earthquake that shook Colombia on Monday forced Conmebol to postpone the matches of Deportes Tolima and Independiente Santa Fe, the two Colombian sides still involved in direct competition. It was a logical call, almost an obligatory one, with everyone's safety in mind. But that doesn't mean Colombian hopes fade in this round: plenty of players will keep representing foreign clubs with a paisa, vallecaucano or coastal accent.

Colombian showdowns inside the Libertadores

The headline matchup of the week comes this Wednesday with Palmeiras vs. Cerro Porteno, kicking off at 5:00 p.m. That's where two Colombians who often decide games will meet: Jhon Arias, a key piece of the Sao Paulo club's attack, against Santiago Mosquera, the offensive reference for the Paraguayan side. It's a head-to-head worth watching.

Later that same day, starting at 7:30 p.m., another Brazilian clash with Colombian flavor: Cruzeiro host Flamengo. Luis Sinisterra and Neiser Villarreal will suit up for the Raposa, while Jorge Carrascal will look to control the tempo in the Flamengo midfield.

On Thursday, the Libertadores shifts to Rosario. Rosario Central host Corinthians at Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, also at 7:30 p.m., where Jaminton Campaz stands out as one of the Argentine side's offensive weapons as it tries to secure a home advantage.

The Sudamericana, with a Colombian accent

The other continental cup isn't far behind. On Wednesday, RB Bragantino and Atletico Mineiro play a match that could easily be dubbed a "Colombian duel": Henry Mosquera for the Sao Paulo club against Mateo Casierra leading the Mineiro attack.

On Thursday, Vasco da Gama will field one of the largest Colombian contingents of this entire stage: Carlos Cuesta, Johan Rojas and Andres Gomez will wear the club's colors when they host Olimpia. Three Colombians on a single roster says a lot about how much weight the national game carries in Brazil.

That same Thursday, Botafogo travels to Peru to face Cienciano, with Jhoan Hernandez and Jordan Barrera representing Colombia on the Rio de Janeiro club's roster as they try to get a positive result out of Cusco before the second leg.

With Tolima and Santa Fe still waiting on a new date for their matches, this week's schedule makes clear that Colombian soccer, though shaken by events off the field, still carries significant weight in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Peru.