⚠️ CBF drops bid for extra Copa Libertadores group stage spot | OneFootball

The idea of the CBF was to exchange the current two spots in the second preliminary round of the Libertadores for an additional spot in the group stage via the Brasileirão.

However, according to journalist Lauro Jardim, president Samir Xaud didn’t even discuss this matter in the meeting held with Alejandro Domínguez, the head of the entity that governs South American football.

Brazilian football currently has five direct spots in the group stage of the tournament: the top four teams in the Brasileirão + the winner of the Copa do Brasil.

The CBF believed that the draws for these preliminary rounds could always pit the two Brazilian representatives against each other.

Which is what happened in 2024, when the future champion Botafogo eliminated Red Bull Bragantino in the third and final preliminary round.

Another justification was the fact that a direct spot would mean four fewer dates on the calendar, since Brazilian teams currently need to eliminate two opponents to reach the tournament’s “prime” stage.

Current Situation via Brasileirão

Flamengo, Palmeiras, Cruzeiro, and Mirassol are the teams that have secured a spot in the group stage of the next Libertadores.

Meanwhile, Botafogo and Bahia would enter the tournament starting from the second preliminary round.

Fla or Verdão could secure that spot if they win the current Libertadores.

Title, Liberta, Z-4... See your team’s updated chances in BR-25

📅 2026 Calendar in Focus

CBF will make its competition calendar for 2026 official this Wednesday (1).

One of the certainties is the reduction of dates for the main State Championships: from 16 to 11.

The Copa do Brasil would have home and away matches only starting from the round of 16, whereas currently this starts in the previous round, the Third Round.

There is also the possibility that the Brasileirão could start earlier.

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

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