Botafogo Prepares for Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior 2026 with Group Stage in Brodowski
Botafogo will compete in Group 11 of the 2026 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, playing in Brodowski and aiming for their first title after being runners-up twice.
- • Botafogo will play in Brodowski in the 1st phase of the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior for the second consecutive year.
- • The team is in Group 11 and will face Bandeirante, Tuna Luso, and Santa Cruz at Estádio Mário Lima Santos.
- • The 2026 tournament features 128 teams in 32 groups, with knockout stages following the group phase.
- • Botafogo seeks its first title, having been runners-up in 1983 and 2015; the tournament runs from January 2 to 25, 2026.
Key details
Botafogo will once again play their first phase matches of the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior in Brodowski, continuing the venue from the previous year’s tournament. Set to compete in Group 11, Botafogo will face Bandeirante, Tuna Luso from Pará, and Santa Cruz from Pernambuco at the Estádio Mário Lima Santos. The 2026 edition of the tournament, which starts on January 2 and runs until January 25, features 128 teams divided into 32 groups spread across 32 locations in São Paulo state. Matches in the group stage are decided in single-elimination format, with penalty shootouts determining winners in the event of ties.
Last year, Botafogo finished first in their group with two victories and a draw but was eliminated in the second stage by Atlético-MG. This year, Botafogo aims to advance beyond the early knockout rounds and pursue the club’s first Copa São Paulo title. Previously, Botafogo was runner-up in 1983 and 2015. If they progress from Group 11, they would face a team from Group 12—which includes I9, Velo Clube, Guanabara City, and Vasco—in matches hosted in Cravinhos.
The tournament also welcomes three new host cities this year: Araçatuba, Cosmópolis, and Patrocínio Paulista, reflecting its growth to 106 cities having hosted the competition historically. Corinthians remains the most successful club with 11 titles. Botafogo's group replicates much of the 2025 group composition, indicating a similar competitive environment. With preparations underway, Botafogo aims to build on their previous performances and target their maiden championship at this prestigious youth competition.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.