Portuguese Cup: FPF to introduce final four from 2026/27 | OneFootball

The Portuguese Football Federation will introduce two major changes to the organization of the Portuguese Cup, according to Record. As such, the semi-finals and the final of the competition will be played in a final four format after the end of the Primeira Liga season, with each round decided in a single match at a neutral venue.

The decision was met with immediate opposition from several clubs, including FC Porto, Benfica, Braga, Vitória SC and Leixões. The same source says that holding the semi-finals at Jamor was even considered, but clubs from the north of the country expressed dissatisfaction with that option due to the financial and logistical costs, especially for supporters.

Another change to be introduced concerns the entry of clubs involved in European competitions. These teams will no longer begin the tournament in the third round and will instead enter only in the fourth round, scheduled for November, while also being unable to face each other at that stage.

The remaining changes concern moving the international break between September and October, during which clubs will return directly to league action, as well as the fact that the new calendar year will begin with the Taça da Liga final four, between 4 and 9 January.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.