CBF: Copa do Brasil runners-up to get Libertadores spot from 2026

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Central do Timão

·12 de dezembro de 2025

CBF: Copa do Brasil runners-up to get Libertadores spot from 2026

By Vinícios Cotrim | Central do Timão Editorial Team

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) met with representatives of Brazilian clubs and held the Technical Council of the 2026 Brasileirão, which will start with a new calendar. The meeting took place at the entity's headquarters in Rio de Janeiro and featured some new announcements.

One of the points discussed by the CBF was the change in the allocation of spots for the Libertadores. Now, the finalist of the Copa do Brasil will also have the right to participate in the continental competition. However, it has not yet been decided whether the club that loses the final will go directly to the group stage or start in the knockout phase. Thus, the Brasileirão loses one spot.

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Photo: Rafael Ribeiro / CBF

In addition, the federation will still decide what actions to take if the finalists have already qualified for the Libertadores through the Brasileirão. All these changes will already be in effect from the next season: that is, the two clubs that compete in the final of the Copa do Brasil 2026 will be in the 2027 continental competition.

Another change made by the CBF was the maximum number of games allowed for a player to transfer to another club in the Brasileirão. Until 2025, this number was six matches, but the next season will have a limit of 12, to accommodate the start of the championship while the transfer window is still open.

Since the change does not apply to the current season, Corinthians still needs to win the Copa do Brasil to be in the Libertadores next year. Dorival Júnior's team needs only a draw to reach the final and, if they qualify, they will face Vasco da Gama or Fluminense.

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