São Paulo FC Faces Dire Challenges in 2026 Amid Poor Performance and Institutional Crisis
Expert Benjamin Back predicts 2026 will be São Paulo FC's worst year due to financial crises and poor performance, as the team nears relegation after a loss to Palmeiras.
- • Benjamin Back predicts 2026 will be the worst year in São Paulo FC's history.
- • São Paulo lost 3-1 to Palmeiras and is precariously close to relegation with just 4 points.
- • The club is suffering from severe financial and institutional crises impacting its performance.
- • Upcoming presidential elections may deepen São Paulo’s instability.
Key details
São Paulo Futebol Clube is enduring a tumultuous 2026, predicted by expert Benjamin Back to be the worst year in the club's history. According to Back, a presenter on CNN Brasil, rather than contending for titles, São Paulo will struggle against relegation due to ongoing financial and institutional crises that have severely impacted the team's on-field performance. He described the club as a 'supporting actor' in the league, overwhelmed by what he terms a "moral bankruptcy" within the organization. This bleak forecast was shared during the Domingol program where Back warned fans that 2026 resembles a "pressure cooker" scenario, with upcoming club presidential elections potentially worsening the instability.
On the pitch, São Paulo's difficulties were evident in their recent 3-1 defeat to Palmeiras in a Campeonato Paulista clash. Palmeiras claimed early dominance and maintained control throughout the match, scoring through Mauricio, Flaco López, and Khellven. São Paulo's lone goal came from Bobadilla. This loss left São Paulo 14th in the standings with only 4 points from 5 matches, dangerously close to the relegation zone. Palmeiras rose to the top of the table temporarily with 12 points. Meanwhile, other traditional teams, such as Santos and Corinthians, remain mired in struggles with just 5 points each, further highlighting the competitive challenges within the championship.
Back's analysis underscores that these performance woes are symptomatic of deeper systemic issues within São Paulo FC. He suggests the current year’s crises are unlikely to improve soon, with the club caught in a cycle of financial strain and organizational instability. Despite some debate among analysts about possible recovery in 2024, Back remains steadfastly pessimistic about São Paulo's short-term prospects.
As São Paulo battles to avoid relegation and address its internal turmoil, the club faces critical decisions in the months ahead, including leadership changes expected to have significant impact. The situation marks a stark chapter in the club's history, requiring urgent attention to reverse the downward trajectory and restore competitive stature.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
