Brasileirão could have just 3 relegated sides: CBF proposal | OneFootball

The proposal would also reduce the number of promotions from Série B and is back on the table right after the approval of the cut in foreign players, a measure Flamengo voted against

The CBF will bring the debate over reducing the number of teams relegated from the Brazilian Championship to its next meeting with the clubs. Currently, four teams are relegated from Série A to Série B each season. The proposal under discussion would reduce that to three relegations per year.

The issue returns to the agenda just days after this Monday’s (21) meeting in Rio de Janeiro. On that occasion, clubs from Série A and Série B approved the gradual reduction of the foreign-player limit. In addition, the CBF and the clubs already have another meeting scheduled for October.

For now, the change remains only under discussion. No amendment to the rules has been approved so far. There is also no decision on when any new rule would take effect.

How the Brasileirão would work with three relegated teams

In practice, the reduction would affect two divisions at the same time. If only three clubs are relegated from the top flight, then only three Série B teams would earn promotion. That way, Série A would keep its 20 participants.

The change could happen gradually. One of the ideas raised included a playoff between the third-from-bottom team in Série A and the third-place team in Série B. However, none of these models was put to a vote.

Série B, in turn, has already undergone a change this season. In 2026, the top two teams are promoted automatically. Meanwhile, the teams finishing from third to sixth place play home-and-away matchups for the other two spots.

Why some clubs support the change

The main argument from supporters involves the proportion of relegated teams. Today, Série A relegates 20% of its participants every season. In the Premier League and La Liga, which also have 20 clubs, only three teams go down.

In addition, club executives point to the financial impact of relegation on clubs with major infrastructure. Vasco, Santos, Internacional, Grêmio, Bahia, and Vitória are among those in favor of the reduction. On the other hand, the proposal usually faces resistance in Série B. After all, second-division clubs would lose one promotion spot per year. That is why the issue requires negotiation between the two divisions.

Discussion has dragged on since 2023

The idea is not new. In 2023, clubs took the proposal to the Série A Technical Council. However, the CBF rejected the request because the deadline for suggestions to the General Competition Regulations had passed. Later, in March 2025, the issue returned to the Technical Council and moved on for analysis by the National Club Council. At the time, Flamengo officials were part of the group representing the top flight.

Then, in February 2026, Samir Xaud’s administration told Série B clubs it would deepen the debate. Since then, the CBF has prioritized other issues, such as financial fair play, refereeing, and the foreign-player limit.

The current format has been in place for more than two decades. The round-robin era began in 2003, when only two clubs were relegated. Starting in 2004, the championship began relegating four teams. Since 2006, Série A has had 20 participants.

Flamengo lost the vote on foreign players

Monday’s meeting left Flamengo in the minority. The clubs approved the reduction in the number of foreign players allowed on the matchday squad. The limit will drop from nine to eight in 2027 and reach five in 2030.

Rubro-Negro voted against it, as did Bahia and Londrina. In addition, president Luiz Eduardo Baptista, known as Bap, called for discussion of the rule limiting transfers within the Brasileirão. However, the CBF argued that the issue was not on the agenda.

The decision directly affects Rubro-Negro’s squad, which currently has ten foreign players. As a result, the next meeting is expected to address not only relegation, but also pending topics such as the 12-match restriction on transfers and the creation of B teams.

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