Conmebol officially announced on Saturday the referees who will officiate the first matches of Chilean teams in both the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana 2026. The international season of national football kicks off with excitement and challenges. Universidad Católica, Coquimbo Unido, Audax Italiano, Palestino, and O’Higgins will represent the country in the continental tournaments.
Uruguayan Gustavo Tejera will officiate the attractive Copa Libertadores match between UC and Boca Juniors, scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, at Claro Arena (8:30 PM). Tejera is not a stranger to the Chilean public, having been the referee of the controversial suspended match between Independiente and Universidad de Chile, labeled as the 'barbarism of Avellaneda,' in Argentina during the round of 16 of the 2025 Sudamericana. Meanwhile, Brazilian Raphael Claus will referee the match of the 'pirates,' the reigning champions of Chilean football, against Nacional.
This clash in the top continental tournament will take place on April 8 at the 'Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso' stadium (6:30 PM). Claus has experience in international competitions and was already involved in the playoff match between La U and Palestino in the Copa Sudamericana. Uruguayan Andrés Matonte will be in charge of the debut of the 'itálicos' in the Sudamericana against Olimpia from Paraguay, scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, in La Florida (8:00 PM).
Additionally, Ecuadorian Guillermo Guerrero will officiate when the 'árabes' face Deportivo Riestra in Argentina on April 8 (6:00 PM). Finally, Peruvian Roberto Pérez will be the referee in the match of O’Higgins from Rancagua against Millonarios, set for April 7 at El Teniente stadium (8:00 PM).