Palmeiras face tougher start to 2026 season, Abel weighs up options | OneFootball

The 2026 season promises a higher level of demand for Palmeiras right from its first commitments. Unlike 2025, when the club started the year with alternative teams and faced more accessible opponents, the scenario now points to a more competitive start.

In the first 10 official games of the season, the Verdão will have seven matches against Serie A teams, a significantly higher number than the previous year, when only three elite opponents appeared in the same initial stretch of the calendar.

Context changes and decisions gain weight

The greater presence of Serie A rivals in the first games changes the planning context. In 2025, the combination of a favorable schedule and less qualified opponents allowed Palmeiras to better manage the squad in the first weeks, without major sporting risks.

In 2026, however, the heavier sequence demands careful evaluations from the coaching staff, who will have to balance performance, physical preparation, and results from the start of the Paulista Championship, as well as the beginning of the Brasileirão.

Full strength is a possibility on the radar

Given the level of the opponents, the use of a lineup closer to full strength is not ruled out at certain times. This is one of the options on the radar to ensure regularity, especially considering a smooth qualification in the state championship and a more consistent start in the Brazilian Championship.

At the same time, the club's recent history shows that squad management remains one of the pillars of Abel Ferreira's work, keeping different approaches open for the start of the season.

Start as a season thermometer

The initial stretch of 2026 will also serve as an important test for Palmeiras. Facing Serie A teams right in the first commitments can accelerate adjustments, indicate needs, and help define the team's competitive tone for the rest of the year.

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