2026 Copa Sul-Sudeste
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | Brazil |
| Dates | 25 March – 7 June |
| Teams | 12 |
The 2026 Copa Sul-Sudeste will be the innaugural edition of the football competition held in the Brazil.
Format
The tournament will be divided into two groups of six teams each, with single round-robin matches between the teams in their respective groups. The top two teams will advance to the semifinals, which will be played over two legs. Those who qualify will advance to the final, which will also be played in two matches.[1]
Qualified teams
| Association | Team[2] | Qualification method |
|---|---|---|
| Minas Gerais[a] 2 berths |
América Mineiro | 2025 Campeonato Mineiro best team with that did not qualify for CONMEBOL competitions |
| Tombense | Second best team with that did not qualify for CONMEBOL competitions | |
| Paraná[b] 2 berths |
Operário Ferroviário | 2025 Campeonato Paranaense champions[3] |
| Cianorte | 2025 Taça FPF champions[3] | |
| Rio de Janeiro 2 berths |
Volta Redonda | 2025 Campeonato Carioca best team with that did not qualify for CONMEBOL competitions |
| Sampaio Corrêa | Second best team with that did not qualify for CONMEBOL competitions | |
| Rio Grande do Sul 2 berths |
Juventude | 2025 Campeonato Gaúcho second best team with that did not qualify for CONMEBOL competitions |
| Caxias[c] | Third best team with that did not qualify for CONMEBOL competitions | |
| Santa Catarina[b] 2 berths |
Avaí | 2025 Campeonato Catarinense champions |
| Chapecoense | 2025 Campeonato Catarinense runners-up | |
| São Paulo 2 berths |
São Bernardo | 2025 Campeonato Paulista best team with that did not qualify for CONMEBOL competitions |
| Novorizontino | Second best team with that did not qualify for CONMEBOL competitions |
- Notes
- ^ Since the Taça Minas Gerais is no longer disputed, the only possible qualification for Minas Gerais teams is via 2025 Campeonato Mineiro. For the other states where state cups are being played in 2025, the federations have not yet officially announced the distribution of the berths, since the spot was initially expected for the 2026 Copa do Brasil dispute.
- ^ a b Paraná and Santa Catarina have no teams in the 2025 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A or competing in the final stages of the 2025 Copa do Brasil, turning it impossible for them clubs to qualify for international tournaments for 2026 season. The Paraná federation was the first to officially announce the distribution of spots.[3]
- ^ Internacional withdrew from the competition on 18 February,[4] and Caxias was confirmed in their spot the following day.[5]
Group stage
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caxias | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Advance to Knockout stage |
| 2 | Chapecoense | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | Cianorte | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | Novorizontino | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | Sampaio Corrêa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | Tombense | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) wins; 3) goal difference; 4) goals scored; 5) fewest red cards; 6) fewest yellow cards; 7) drawing of lots.[6]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) wins; 3) goal difference; 4) goals scored; 5) fewest red cards; 6) fewest yellow cards; 7) drawing of lots.[6]
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | América Mineiro | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Advance to Knockout stage |
| 2 | Avaí | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | Juventude | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | Operário Ferroviário | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | São Bernardo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | Volta Redonda | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) wins; 3) goal difference; 4) goals scored; 5) fewest red cards; 6) fewest yellow cards; 7) drawing of lots.[7]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) wins; 3) goal difference; 4) goals scored; 5) fewest red cards; 6) fewest yellow cards; 7) drawing of lots.[7]
References
- ^ "Copa Sul-Sudeste: entenda o formato da competição que vai estrear em 2026". GloboEsporte (in Portuguese). 1 October 2025.
- ^ "Regionais 2026: veja classificados para as Copas do Nordeste, Sul-Sudeste, Norte e Centro-Oeste" [2026 regional cups: check out the qualified teams to the Copa do Nordeste, Sul-Sudeste, Norte and Centro-Oeste] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ^ a b c "Copa Sul-Sudeste: quais times ficam com as duas vagas do Paraná na competição". GloboEsporte (in Portuguese). 1 October 2025.
- ^ "Inter decide não participar da Copa Sul-Sudeste; veja os motivos" [Inter opt not to play in the Copa Sul-Sudeste; check out the reasons] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 18 February 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ^ "Caxias substituirá o Inter na Copa Sul-Sudeste; veja clubes participantes" [Caxias will replace Inter in the Copa Sul-Sudeste; check out participant clubs] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 19 February 2026. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ^ "Regulamento Específico da Competição" (PDF) (in Portuguese). CBF. 11 February 2026.
- ^ "Regulamento Específico da Competição" (PDF) (in Portuguese). CBF. 11 February 2026.