FIFA unveils “Super Data FIFA”, CBF shifts calendar, Vasco prepare | OneFootball

Vasco da Gama is already taking action in response to the changes that will impact global football starting in 2026. FIFA announced the creation of the so-called "Super FIFA Date," which will modify the format of national team call-ups and require significant adjustments to the national calendar. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed that the Brazilian Championship will start earlier, in January, altering the entire planning routine for clubs.

Currently, the calendar includes five FIFA Date windows per year — in March, June, September, October, and November — each lasting nine days. Starting next year, the number of windows will decrease to four, but one of them will be extended: the Super FIFA Date, lasting 16 days, allowing up to four matches per national team.

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Photo: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF.

The new format provides the following windows: March with nine days, June with nine days, September and October unified into a 16-day window (the Super FIFA Date), and November again with nine days. The Brazilian Championship Serie A will be paused during FIFA Dates, but according to the CBF, it may resume right after the national teams' commitments end.

The Brazilian Football Confederation officially announced the dates for the next season in a press conference with President Samir Xaud, confirming important adjustments in the main competitions. The Brasileirão 2026 will start on January 28 and end on December 2. Meanwhile, the Copa do Brasil will have a single-match final, and Serie A clubs will enter from the fifth phase, reducing the total number of dates. The State Championships will also see cuts, going from 16 to 11 dates, starting on January 11 and ending by March 8.

The Carioca Championship, for example, will start on January 14 and end on March 8, with two groups of six teams and single-round matches between the groups. Quarterfinals and semifinals will have a reduced format, and the grand final will be played as a single match.

The 2026 season will have a break from June 1 to July 20 for the World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Additionally, the national transfer window will be divided into two periods: from January 5 to March 3 and from July 20 to September 11.

The main dates for the 2026 calendar are as follows: State Championships from January 11 to March 8; Copa do Brasil from February 18 to December 6; Brasileirão Serie A from January 28 to December 2; Serie B from March 21 to November 28; Serie C from April 5 to October 25; Serie D from April 5 to September 13; World Cup from June 11 to July 19; Libertadores from February 18 to November 28; South American Cup from April 8 to November 21; and Recopa on February 18 and 25.

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Photo: Disclosure / X @FFERJ

With the creation of the Super FIFA Date and the new CBF calendar, the 2026 season promises to be one of the most adjusted and challenging in recent history, especially for clubs like Vasco, which will have to balance travel, call-ups, and decisions in an even tighter timeframe.

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