CBF director explains changes to Brazilian calendar, find out more | OneFootball

At an event held on Wednesday morning in Rio de Janeiro, the CBF announced a series of new developments in the Brazilian football calendar starting in 2026. Julio Avellar, the entity's competitions director, detailed and explained some changes, such as the mid-year calendar break in the coming years.

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According to him, the calendar will pause mid-year for the next few years, in a permanent cycle, due to the World Cups for national teams, Club World Cup, and Copa América.

“All mid-year or calendars are already protected, right? So, this decision to protect the mid-year, due to a 2026 World Cup, a Women's World Cup in 2027, a Copa América in 2028. This cycle is permanent, this decision has already been made. So, this mid-year will always be protected. This decision is enduring. What we seek, again, always, is calendar efficiency,” stated Avellar.

Julio Avellar, CBF's competitions director – Photo: Rafael Ribeiro / CBF

Changes in lower divisions

Another highlight of Wednesday's event was the new changes in the lower divisions of Brazilian football. The Série D will increase from 64 to 96 teams and a new access model, with six teams moving up to Série C. The Third Division also underwent changes, with relegation reduced to two clubs in the next two editions. From 2028, six teams will be relegated to the Fourth Division.

“We had an increase in clubs in Série C and Série B. And why not the creation of a Série E? Knowing that we have more clubs still registered with the CBF, as a board, more or less, in the competition. In our assessment, building a more solid product for Série B and exploring regionalities is more beneficial for the football chain,” said Avellar.

Samir Xaud, CBF president – Photo: Rafael Ribeiro / CBF

“Creating a Série E would be another layer of access. Our understanding is that we should value Série D more, explore smaller groups, increase the advancement rate, and work on this aspect. That is the focus. The CBF is investing in Série D betting on regionality. This is the path we understand as the best for Brazilian football. If you look at access divisions in other countries, you will see that the base of the pyramid is similar,” the director concluded.

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