Corinthians Gears Up for 2026 Campeonato Paulista with Tactical Training and Key Signing
Corinthians kick off tactical preparations for the 2026 Campeonato Paulista and announce defender Gabriel Paulista as their first signing after lifting their CBF transfer ban.
- • Corinthians held their first tactical training session on January 7 preparing for the Campeonato Paulista debut on January 11 against Ponte Preta.
- • The club lifted a CBF transfer ban by paying over R$ 7 million related to debt owed to Matías Rojas, enabling new player registrations.
- • Gabriel Paulista, 35, returns to Brazil and signs a two-year deal as Corinthians' first 2026 signing, fulfilling his dream of playing for the club.
- • Negotiations are ongoing with Santos Laguna to resolve a transfer ban linked to defender Félix Torres' purchase.
Key details
On January 7, 2026, Corinthians began its preparations for the upcoming Campeonato Paulista with the first tactical training session under coach Dorival Júnior. The session took place at the CT Dr. Joaquim Grava and included strength training in the gym followed by sector-specific technical drills on the field. Players were divided into two groups, culminating in tactical exercises with ten players on each side within a reduced playing area. Notably, midfielders Gui Amorim and Luiz Gustavo Bahia, alongside right-back João Vitor, participated after returning from commitments with the club at the Copinha tournament in Jaú-SP. Corinthians are set to debut in the Campeonato Paulista on January 11 against Ponte Preta, a team they defeated 1-0 in their last encounter during the 2025 edition of the competition, with Talles Magno scoring the decisive goal.
In addition to tactical work, Corinthians lifted a transfer ban imposed by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) that had prevented them from registering new players since October. This was achieved by paying over R$ 7 million ahead of the January 17 deadline. The ban had arisen due to delayed payments on a debt owed to midfielder Matías Rojas, a debt totaling approximately R$ 41.2 million. The club cleared the payment after settling the second installment with Rojas, thereby avoiding further restrictions. Negotiations are ongoing with Santos Laguna to resolve a related transfer ban connected to the purchase of defender Félix Torres, focusing on final payment terms and associated charges.
Subsequently, Corinthians announced their first reinforcement for 2026 in defender Gabriel Paulista. The 35-year-old is returning to Brazil after 13 years abroad playing for clubs such as Villarreal, Arsenal, Valencia, and Atlético de Madrid. Gabriel Paulista will sign a two-year contract with Corinthians, fulfilling his dream of playing for the club. Importantly, his signing was executed without any transfer cost, made possible due to his contract termination with Besiktas. This addition bolsters the squad's defensive options ahead of the state championship.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
