CBF reports record youth football calendar after 700-match season
Brazil’s football federation says its 2026 youth calendar exceeded 700 matches, while a working group considers structural changes across player development.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) staged more than 700 youth-competition matches during the 2026 season, a total its competitions director, Julio Avellar, described as a historic record for the federation.
The Brazilian U-20 Championship accounted for 204 matches, six more than in 2025. The competition also introduced second legs in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, expanding the knockout-stage schedule.
Vasco won the championship for the first time after recovering from a 1–0 defeat to Palmeiras in the opening final leg. A 2–0 victory in the return leg secured the title.
The expanded calendar forms part of the CBF’s effort to give youth football a larger place in the national schedule. Avellar credited CBF president Samir Xaud with supporting innovation across the federation’s departments.
The CBF’s Youth Categories Working Group is also considering broader changes to player development. Its membership includes clubs, federations, specialists, former players and CBF representatives, with discussions covering calendars, academy models, agent regulation and women’s youth football.
The proposals remain under discussion, and the CBF has not announced specific measures or implementation dates.
