Flamengo v Madureira, Vasco v Fluminense start State semis | OneFootball

Carioca Semifinal Begins This Sunday (22)

The Campeonato Carioca is heading towards the final stretch of the 2026 season. Thus, this Sunday (22), Flamengo, Madureira, Vasco, and Fluminense kick off the State Championship semifinals.

What are the Carioca matches this Sunday?

*Brasília Time.

The first semifinal of the Carioca 2026 takes place at 6 PM (Brasília time) this Sunday (22). At Nilton Santos Stadium, Vasco and Fluminense face off seeking to gain an advantage in the matchup. For fans who want to follow, the classic will be broadcast on Globo (open channel), SporTV (cable TV), and Premiere (pay-per-view).

Immediately following, at 8:30 PM (Brasília time), Flamengo hosts Madureira at Maracanã for the first leg of the second semifinal. It's worth noting that the second match will also take place at the 'Sacred Temple', following an agreement between the teams. GE TV (YouTube), SporTV (cable channel), and Premiere (pay-per-view) will broadcast the match.

How does the final phase of the Campeonato Carioca work?

The Football Federation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FER) made a change to the Carioca regulations for 2026. Thus, while the quarterfinals were played in a single match, the semifinals will be in home-and-away matches. Finally, the state decision takes place in a single match, with the location to be determined.

Is Flamengo the current champion of the Carioca?

Yes! In the 2025 season, Flamengo defeated Fluminense in the Campeonato Carioca final by 2-1, becoming the state champion. Thus, Filipe Luís's team seeks to defend the title.

Moreover, if they win the Carioca in 2026, Flamengo will achieve the state championship three-peat. After all, the Rubro-Negro also lifted the trophy in 2024, with Tite at the helm, after defeating Nova Iguaçu in the final.

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