Former CBF director Juninho Paulista backs new Brazilian football calendar | OneFootball

Former CBF director, Juninho Paulista, participated in a charity match at the Mercado Livre Arena Pacaembu this Sunday and spoke about the new Brazilian football calendar. The former player approved the changes that will come into effect from 2026.

Juninho still has some doubts but agreed with the Confederation's initiative to seek a less chaotic calendar. He, who was the Director of Football Development for the entity and coordinator of the Brazilian National Team at the Qatar World Cup, is currently the manager of Ituano.

“I don't know if this will remain permanent or not, that's my doubt. But, overall, I liked it. I think that Serie C and Serie D were already balanced. Ideally, players should play a maximum of six matches per month. I think that's what they are aiming for,” said the former athlete, world champion with Brazil in 2002.

(Photo: André da Silva Costa/Gazeta Press)

Understand the changes

There are three main changes announced by CBF for the Brazilian football calendar from 2026 to 2029. The State Championships have been shortened to 11 dates, allowing the Brazilian Championship to start already in January of the following year.

The Brazil Cup will increase from 92 to 126 participants and will conclude the season in Brazil with a single-match final, with the location yet to be determined.

Finally, a new tournament was created: the South-Southeast Cup, which will join the Green Cup and the Northeast Cup. Clubs participating in international Conmebol competitions (Libertadores or Sudamericana) will not participate in the Regionals.

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Ancelotti's Work

Juninho Paulista also shared his opinion on Carlo Ancelotti's still brief work leading the Brazilian National Team. He praised the Italian coach's competence in handling off-field issues.

“The work is just starting, gradually we will begin to see his influence on the Brazilian National Team. He has great competence off the field,” he commented.

So far, in five matches with the former Real Madrid coach on the sidelines, there have been three wins, one draw, and one loss.

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