FPF president Reinaldo Carneiro Bastos stated that Copinha 2026 could reveal younger talents due to the tight schedule from the World Cup. The launch event took place at Pacaembu stadium in São Paulo, with CBF president Samir Xaud present, who declared the tournament a priority for his management. The groups for the competition, featuring 128 teams, were drawn.
On Tuesday evening, November 25, Pacaembu stadium in São Paulo's west zone hosted the launch of the 56th edition of the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Jr., known as Copinha, scheduled for 2026. FPF president Reinaldo Carneiro Bastos emphasized the tournament's role in revealing young talents, particularly with the Brazilian football calendar tightened by the 2026 World Cup from June to July. “Copinha is an event where we give the young person the opportunity to dream. Probably, for the vast majority of young people, this is the great opportunity to show themselves, to be seen, to dream. Copinha is not just a football tournament, it has a strong social influence on youth across Brazil,” Bastos stated.
He noted that schedule changes, with state championships advanced, affect professional squads, creating space for younger players. “This has happened other times, but Brazilian football is rich in talents. If that starter can't [play], others appear, and we'll have a big surprise. The kid will be different, will play football. We'll show another boy, younger, the opportunity will come earlier for him,” he declared.
CBF president Samir Xaud, who took office six months ago, reinforced Copinha's importance for youth football. A former youth player from Roraima, Xaud announced the CBF will soon release the 2026 base calendar. “This new CBF management wants and is very willing to foster youth football in our Brazil more and more. Count on us always,” he assured. He described the base as deserving “a closer look” and “a lot of care.”
The competition, existing since 1969 and considered the world's largest youth event, will gather over four thousand athletes from 128 teams, divided into 32 groups of four teams each. In the group stage, matches are single round, with the top two advancing to knockout, where ties go straight to penalties, no extra time. The final is traditionally on January 25, São Paulo's anniversary.
In the draw, Distrito Federal teams were highlighted: Brasiliense in group 25 (with Fluminense-RJ, Água Santa-SP, Sfera-SP, in Santana de Parnaíba); Canaã in 18 (Comercial-SP, Criciúma-SC, XV de Piracicaba, in Tietê); Real Brasília in 16 (São Carlense-SP, Santos-SP, Cacoalense-RO, in São Carlos); Sobradinho in 3 (Tanabi-SP, América-RN, Goiás, in Tanabi). FFDF president Daniel Vasconcelos celebrated the record of four local representatives: “The record number is another victory for Distrito Federal football. It's proof that we are well-regarded nationally.”
