The Brazilian Football Confederation officially announced the calendar of the first phase of the Copa do Brasil 2026, generating great expectations among fans and clubs.
With the participation of 126 teams from all over Brazil, the tournament promises exciting matches from the initial stage, highlighting the growth of regional football.
The days, times and venues are already defined for the opening matches, marking the beginning of a historic and renewed competition on the national calendar.
Context and format of the competition
The Copa do Brasil 2026 presents a renewed and expanded version, with 126 clubs from 27 state federations in Brazil, generating great national expectations.
The tournament opts for direct elimination in a single match until the fourth phase and eliminates the away goal rule, seeking dynamism and excitement in the game.
From the fifth phase, Serie A clubs participate in round-trip confrontations, with the single-match final at a neutral venue to maximize attractiveness.
Official announcement from the CBF and renewal of the Copa do Brasil 2026
On February 9, 2026, the CBF officially released the calendar and table of the first phase, highlighting the great competition between regional clubs.
This renewal aims to democratize access and generate intense rivalries from the preliminary phases, prioritizing emotion in single matches.
The announcement reinforces the CBF's commitment to promoting federalized football and offering new opportunities to lower category teams.
Participation of 126 clubs and structure of preliminary phases
The Cup begins with 126 clubs classified according to the national ranking of the federations, distributed in groups that reflect their state football weight.
The first phase involves 28 lower ranking clubs, playing direct matches in a single game to advance to the second phase with 46 additional teams.
The tournament will run until December, seeking to promote grassroots and regional football, expanding the scope of the competition throughout Brazil.
List of matches of the 1st phase
The first phase of the Copa do Brasil 2026 will be played between February 17 and 19, with 28 teams competing in a single match.
The matches will define the teams that will advance to the next round, where other higher-ranking clubs will join.
Excitement is guaranteed from the beginning, with regional clubs seeking to surprise in a direct format.
Dates, times and venue of the matches from February 17 to 19
The opening matches will take place in multiple stadiums in Brazil, with scheduled times for the afternoon and evening.
The official calendar includes three consecutive days of matches, with special attention to the locations that host the teams.
Each match will be played at the home of one of the participating clubs, increasing local pressure and advantage.
Participating teams, matchup details and direct elimination format
28 lower ranking clubs participate in this initial phase, facing each other in duels without the possibility of a draw or a round trip.
The winners will join 46 additional teams in the second phase, maintaining the direct elimination until the fourth round.
This format privileges the intensity of each match and reduces the calendar, seeking greater competitiveness between clubs.
Analysis and expectations of the first phase
The first phase promises high competitiveness between lower-ranking clubs, where each single match can define unexpected surprises.
This intense format favors strategy and concentration, giving regional teams a real opportunity to advance.
Fans can expect vibrant and exciting duels, with the pressure of direct elimination from the start of the tournament.
Possible surprises and favorites among lower category clubs
Some regional clubs with a good local record are emerging as favorites to advance, but there are candidates capable of causing a surprise.
The no-round-trip direct elimination format increases the possibility of unexpected results and the appearance of “tapados”.
The motivation of these teams to face higher-ranking rivals drives a scenario conducive to exciting duels.
Impact on the Brazilian calendar and relevance for regional teams
The initial phase is located in February, which adds intensity to the Brazilian calendar by starting the Copa do Brasil early.
Regional clubs gain a key platform to showcase their performance and attract press attention and sponsors.
Furthermore, these meetings strengthen the development of federalized football, contributing to regional visibility and competitiveness.
Recommended visual elements for the article
To complement the article, visual elements are suggested that facilitate understanding of the structure and relevance of the Copa do Brasil 2026.
These resources help illustrate the dynamics and scope of the tournament, highlighting the importance of each phase and team involved.
The combination of graphics and photographs enriches the informative experience, making the content more attractive and accessible.
Fixture infographics, venue map and photos of key stadiums
Detailed infographics will show the sequence of matches and progress in phases, simplifying tournament tracking.
Precise maps will highlight the venues where the matches are played, reflecting the geographical distribution of the participating clubs.
Photographs of emblematic stadiums provide visual context, highlighting the main stages and their football atmosphere.
Previous match videos and complementary interactive graphics
Videos with previous analyzes and key moments from previous matches generate expectation and understanding about the teams and their styles.
Interactive graphics allow you to explore match data, player statistics and results in real time, enriching interest.
This multimedia facilitates a dynamic experience, encouraging active public participation in the coverage of the tournament.
