For the group stage, the 26 teams will be drawn into two groups of thirteen teams each, playing on a single round-robin basis. Additionally, each team will play one interzonal match against its rival team in the other zone. In each group, the top four teams advance to the quarter-finals. The final stages (quarter-finals, semi-finals and final) are played on a single-legged basis.[2]
Draw
The draw for the group stage was held on 3 February 2021, 19:00, at Hilton Hotel in Buenos Aires.[3] The 26 teams were drawn into two groups of thirteen containing one team from each of the interzonal matches.
In the group stage, each group will be played on a single round-robin basis. Additionally, each team will play one interzonal match against its rival team in the other zone. Teams will be ranked according to the following criteria: 1. Points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss); 2. Goal difference; 3. Goals scored; 4. Head-to-head points; 5. Head-to-head goal difference; 6. Head-to-head goals scored.[4]
The top four teams of each group will advance to the quarter-finals.