Copinha 2026 Semifinals Set as Grêmio Leads Early Qualifiers
The Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior 2026 semifinals take shape with Grêmio leading the way; key quarter-finals highlight rising talents like Ibrachina ahead of the final on January 25.
- • Grêmio secured the first semifinal spot by defeating Ceará 3-0.
- • Quarter-final matches include Guanabara City-GO vs. Cruzeiro, Palmeiras vs. Ibrachina, and São Paulo vs. Botafogo.
- • Ibrachina, a club founded five years ago, has gained prominence by eliminating top teams like Internacional and Atlético-MG.
- • The final will be held on January 25, coinciding with the anniversary of São Paulo city.
Key details
The Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior 2026, popularly known as Copinha, is rapidly advancing toward its climax with the semifinals now taking shape. The quarter-finals began on January 18, 2026, with Grêmio becoming the first team to secure a semifinal spot by decisively beating Ceará 3-0.
Grêmio will await the winner of the Guanabara City-GO versus Cruzeiro match, which also took place on January 18. Two more quarter-final clashes were scheduled for January 19, featuring Palmeiras against the surprise competitor Ibrachina, and São Paulo facing off against Botafogo. The tournament's final is set for January 25, coinciding with the anniversary of the city of São Paulo, a traditional date for the finale.
A notable narrative this year centers on Ibrachina, who have attracted significant attention after eliminating prominent clubs such as Internacional and Atlético-MG. Founded just five years ago by brothers Henrique and Thomas Law as part of the Instituto Sociocultural Brasil-China, Ibrachina has quickly built a reputation rooted in youth development. The club holds a CBF training certification and was the runner-up in the 2025 Paulistão sub-17 tournament. Spanish media have praised Ibrachina's physical strength and technical quality, dubbing them a club that "haunts Brazil." This quarter-final match against Palmeiras provides a key test for the upstart club, which has already produced players moving on to major Brazilian and European teams, such as midfielders Davy Freire, Felipe Marinho, and Riquelme Fillipi, among others.
With São Paulo hosting Botafogo and Palmeiras set to challenge Ibrachina, fans can expect intense battles as the tournament edges closer to crowning its new champion. The upcoming matches promise high competition and the potential emergence of new talents shaping the future of Brazilian football.
As the Copinha 2026 progresses, the excitement builds towards the final on January 25, a symbolic day that celebrates both the youth football tournament and the city of São Paulo itself.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
