Estudiantes de La Plata quedó a un partido de clasificarse al Mundial de Clubes 2029, alterando las perspectivas en la Conmebol mientras nacionales rivales vigilan de cerca la situación, Infobae informó. Following a penalty-shootout victory over Flamengo after a scoreless draw at the Maracaná, Alexander Medina’s squad advanced to the Copa Libertadores final against Palmeiras.

The continental governing body allocates six spots to South America if the tournament maintains a 32-team format mirroring the inaugural edition won by Chelsea. Those places go to the four tournament champions from 2025 through 2028 alongside the two highest-ranked non-champions in the Conmebol points table. Teams earn three points for reaching the group stage, three for every victory, one for a draw, and three for each knockout round they win. FIFA also distributes other plazas globally, assigning 12 to Europe, 4 to North, Central America and the Caribbean, 4 to Asia, 4 to Africa, and 1 to Oceania, alongside a slot reserved for the host country.

How the Estudiantes Semifinal Victory Shifts the Argentine Standings

TyC Sports noted that Estudiantes entered the final as the top-ranked Argentine club in the Conmebol table with 62 points, trailing only Palmeiras at 82 and Flamengo at 83, with Flamengo already holding a guaranteed spot as the 2025 champion. Infocielo pointed out that this leaves Estudiantes 27 points clear of Racing, their closest domestic pursuer in the ranking.

Because tournament regulations restrict nations to a maximum of two representatives via the ranking pathway unless extra slots open through a champion, the semifinal result altered the math for other Argentine giants. TyC Sports explained that if Flamengo had repeated as champion, an extra ranking berth would have opened up, offering a lifeline to domestic sides sitting further down the table.

Where Rival Argentine Clubs Stand in the Conmebol Table

With Estudiantes securing the third spot on 62 points and Liga de Quito pressing close behind with 61, the rest of the Argentine contingent faces an uphill battle driven entirely by results in the Copa Libertadores. Diario Mendoza Today reported that Racing sits second among Argentine sides with 35 points in sixth place overall, though its immediate prospects remain narrow.

Mid-tier and lower-table Argentine clubs find their progression capped by current competition paths. Behind the leading group stand Independiente del Valle with 40 points, Cerro Porteño with 34, Fluminense with 28, Peñarol with 26, and Corinthians alongside São Paulo with 25. Further down, Independiente Rivadavia, Platense, and Vélez share 24 points each, while River Plate sits 16th with 23 points, Rosario Central holds 20, Central Córdoba has 14, and Lanús registers 12. Boca Juniors occupies 37th place with 10 points, Talleres de Córdoba stands at 7, and Belgrano has 3. Outlets noted that clubs competing in the Copa Sudamericana, such as River Plate, cannot accumulate points toward this specific global ranking because the governing body weighs matches exclusively from the premier continental tournament.

The Decisive Factor of the Montevideo Final

The upcoming championship match scheduled for November 28 at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo carries immense institutional weight. Infocielo detailed that a victory for Estudiantes would grant the club the 2026 continental title and a direct ticket to 2029, yet it would simultaneously consume one of the potential ranking berths allocated to Argentina. Conversely, a triumph by Palmeiras would secure the Brazilian side’s ticket while capping the number of Brazilian entrants eligible through the ranking system, forcing domestic rivals across the border to win their way in directly.

As preparations continue toward the November 28 final in Uruguay, the tournament format and final host country for the 2029 global showcase remain subject to official confirmation by FIFA.