Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior 2026 Kicks Off January 2 With 128 Teams Competing
The largest youth football tournament in Brazil, Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior 2026, will start on January 2 with 128 teams competing across 32 venues.
- • The 56th edition of Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior will begin on January 2, 2026.
- • 128 teams will compete across 32 venues nationwide.
- • São Paulo is the current champion with five titles; Corinthians holds the all-time record with 11 championships.
- • The tournament kicks off with six matches on the first day, with the final set for January 25.
- • The opening match is between Meia-Noite and Real-RR at 8:45 AM in Patrocínio Paulista.
Key details
The 56th edition of the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior (Copinha), Brazil's premier youth football tournament, is set to begin on January 2, 2026. This tournament remains the largest youth football event in Brazil, featuring 128 clubs competing across 32 venues.
São Paulo enters as the defending champion, having won the tournament five times, a record shared with Fluminense and Internacional. Corinthians holds the record for the most titles with 11 championships. The opening match on January 2 will take place in Patrocínio Paulista, where Meia-Noite faces Real-RR at 8:45 AM. The opening day will feature a total of six matches, including notable clashes like Coritiba versus Ponte Preta at 11 AM and Sport against Linense at 6:30 PM.
The tournament will carry on for several weeks, concluding with the finals scheduled for January 25, aligning with the anniversary of São Paulo, the current champion’s home city. This annual event is a key fixture in Brazil’s football calendar, serving as a showcase for emerging football talents from across the country.
With wide participation and extensive media coverage, Copinha continues to be a milestone for young players aiming to make their mark in Brazilian football.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
