Photo: EFE – NATHALIA AGUILAR
Is the Sudamericana final no longer set for Barranquilla? Jesurún was blunt
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The 2026 Copa Sudamericana final will be held in Barranquilla. Ramón Jesurún, president of the Colombian Football Federation, denied recent claims of a venue change on Monday, confirming the championship match is slated for Nov 21 at the Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez stadium.
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The buzz grew after a Brazilian source suggested CONMEBOL might consider moving the final to Brazil if Vasco da Gama and Atlético Mineiro reached the showdown. Vasco faces Boca Juniors, while Mineiro meets Montevideo City Torque in the semis. No official CONMEBOL announcement has indicated a venue shift yet.
Jesurún answered forcefully. In an interview with El Heraldo he called the story “irresponsible and absurd,” stressing the decision is final. “The final is in Barranquilla on Nov 21, that’s confirmed,” the Colombian official, also a CONMEBOL council member, asserted.
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The federation chief also rejected the notion that the location could change based on the finalists. “This isn’t a neighborhood tournament,” Jesurún replied when asked about a possible Brazil‑only final for economic reasons. In my view, the speculation was baseless. He emphasized Barranquilla is “fully confirmed” and noted stadium upgrades are on track.
CONMEBOL reinforced the stance on Monday. When releasing the semifinal schedule, the body listed Boca Juniors, Vasco da Gama, Atlético Mineiro and Montevideo City Torque as competing for the two spots in the final set for Nov 21 in Barranquilla. The city was ratified as host by the council on March 19, marking Colombia’s first solo Sudamericana final.
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So far, the tournament plan remains unchanged. While Barranquilla continues modernising the Metropolitano for the showdown, the four semifinalists will decide in October who travels to Colombia. A fully Brazilian final is possible sport‑wise, but Jesurún and CONMEBOL’s schedule keep the venue fixed in Barranquilla.
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