The national entity brings news such as the beginning of Brazilirão in January, a single ending in the Brazilian cup and the creation of new regional tournaments
The CBF announced, Wednesday (1), the calendar for Brazilian football next season in 2026. In this sense, the president of the entity, Samir Xaud, brought significant changes to soften the intense and close program of competitions and give more space to the rest of the athletes. The director of the competition, Júlio Avellar, presented the main changes, such as the beginning of Brazilirão in January, a single ending in the Brazilian cup and the state with eleven dates.
“This October 1 is one day to be marked in the history of Brazilian football. We have announced profound changes in the structure. In my inauguration, I announced that the state championships would have 11 dates and this promise has been fulfilled. These changes have two reasons: reducing the game load for the elite teams and the game load for the first year. Today,” Samir Xud said.
Significant changes
The Brazilian championship of 2026 will begin on January 28th. The format will be the same, with 20 teams facing the round and return, with four vacant places relegated to Libertadores and six others for South America of the following year.
The Brazil Cup, in turn, has been renovated. Overall, there will be 126 teams in the dispute, with five initial phases, and all 20 Serie A teams will enter the competition only in the fifth phase, the last before the 16 round.
Therefore, there will be 102 vacancies distributed in the state championships and four others for the champions of C, D, Green Cup and Northeast Cup, quarter -finals and semifinals will be in return games. The final will be in a single game that ends the Brazilian football calendar on December 6th.
In this sense, the state will have a maximum of 11 dates. The definition of the respective formats will be responsible for each of the federations, as well as the distribution of vacant places to the Brazilian cup. The CBF then presented that the basic dates are from 11/01 (beginning) and 03/08 (end).
In addition to the Northeast Cup and the Green Cup, the entity will create the South-Southeast cup. The teams classified for Conmebol tournaments do not compete in these competitions, which will have games with continental dates. Although they are in the South -East region, the team of Espírito Santo will play the Midwest Cup.
The Northast Cup will begin on March 25 and will end on June 7th. Therefore, the teams classified for Conmebol competitions do not compete in the tournament, which will go from 16 to 20 clubs.
Direct impacts
The CBF also announced the 64 to 96 participants to Serie D. With this criterion, there will be a 26% increase in the number of clubs with a national division in 2026.
In addition, it is estimated that the number of games in the season will decrease up to 16%, with the reduction of the state and the late entry into the Brazilian cup. The entity provides that it will invest $ 82 million more in the competitions next year.
New competitions
– South -Southeast Cup – 12 clubs: 2 vacant places for each state (PR, RS, SC, RJ, SP and MG).
– Northeast Cup – 20 clubs: increase compared to 2025 (16 clubs).
– Green Cup – 24 clubs: They will be divided between North Cup and Midwest Cup. The winners of each of the regions will face the Green Cup champion.
Financial fair play and semi -Automatic impediment
The agent reported that the studies for the implementation of Financial Fair Play are in an advanced phase. The entity therefore intends to announce a new financial sustainability system in Brazilian football in November. Finally, it also highlighted the conversations to develop the semi -automatic impediment already in the 2026 season.
“Studies for the Financial Fier Play are in an advanced phase and we will announce the rules for the new financial sustainability system in Brazilian football. An essential step to ensure greater balance and sustainability for clubs,” said Xud
“We are finalizing our studies for the implementation of the semi -automatic commitment in Brazilian football for 2026”, added the president of CBF
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Source: Terra
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