Uncertainty hampers Corinthians' plans for 2026 | OneFootball

Corinthians has been facing difficulties in planning for the 2026 season. The club’s board is still waiting for the resolution of pending issues before they can think about next year.

Copa do Brasil

Corinthians, for example, still does not know when the current season will end. That’s because, after the conclusion of the Brazilian Championship, the team will play in the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil against Cruzeiro.

The matches are scheduled for December 10 and 14. However, if the team advances to the grand final, the season will be extended until December 21.

Therefore, the club is waiting for the outcome of the competition to decide when the players will be released for vacation and the date for the squad’s return. The Campeonato Paulista will begin on January 11, 2026.

(Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians)

Transfer ban

Another uncertainty preventing Corinthians from planning for the next season is the transfer ban. The club has been unable to register players since August and has not yet managed to resolve the issue.

The punishment currently in effect by FIFA was motivated by a debt of R$ 40 million owed to Santos Laguna, from Mexico, for the signing of Félix Torres.

In addition, there is an outstanding amount of R$ 45 million owed to midfielder Matías Rojas. In this case, however, there are ongoing talks with the Paraguayan’s representatives to reach an amicable agreement. As a result, the sanction has not yet been applied, even though the 45-day deadline set by CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) has already expired.

The board led by Osmar Stabile already has the approval of Cori (Advisory Council) to take out a loan of R$ 100 million in order to settle the debts in December, should Timão not have the necessary resources by then. However, the uncertainty is hindering the club’s search for reinforcements in the market.

Coach Dorival Júnior has already publicly stated that he expected “at least four signings” for this season. However, he only received Vitinho.

The coach believes Corinthians needs to strengthen the squad for next year and is already discussing possibilities with football executive Fabinho Soldado. Before that, however, the club needs to lift the current transfer ban. There are still four cases awaiting CAS ratification that could result in new sanctions.

In a recent interview, Dorival has already admitted that Timão may start 2026 without any new signings. In this case, the youth players should continue to have opportunities.

Fabinho admits difficulties

Last Monday, after the launch event for Paulistão 2026 at Mercado Livre Arena Pacaembu, Fabinho Soldado admitted the difficulties Corinthians is facing in planning for the next season. The executive said that this “is not the club’s reality.”

“The ideal scenario would be to look at a plan and follow it. That is not our reality, just as it is not my reality to do nothing. We are working with several scenarios, including the vacation schedule. The season may be extended, and we actually hope that happens. After that, the State Championship will begin on the 11th. I have to look at all this and imagine something. There is daily communication with Dorival, and we are thinking about some scenarios so that we are not left empty-handed,” said the executive.

“This is being very well divided. President Osmar is leading all of this with his marketing, legal, and financial teams, as well as other relevant matters,” he concluded.

Corinthians’ next match

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