Twelve Teams Advance to Knockout Stage as Copa São Paulo Júnior 2026 Heats Up

The 2026 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior continues its fast-paced group stage, with twelve teams now confirmed to progress into the knockout rounds. Highlights of the tournament include Botafogo-SP dominating Group 11 with a 3-1 victory over CA Bandeirante, ending the group with 6 points—four ahead of second place. Guanabara City sealed qualification by defeating Vasco 3-1 and benefiting from a draw between I9 and Velo Clube.

Additional qualifiers include XV de Jaú, which secured its spot with a 2-1 win over Trindade, and both Francana and Cruzeiro from Group 13, who advanced after winning their matches and accumulating 6 points each. Group 6 saw Grêmio Prudente crush Olímpico-SE 4-0, while Ceará maintained their campaign progress with a 3-0 win over Carajás. Red Bull Bragantino secured its place in the next stage with a 3-1 win against Cosmopolitano in Group 17.

São Paulo FC currently leads Group 19 and is preparing for its second-round clash against Independente-AP on January 7, aiming to add a sixth Copa São Paulo title to their history after previous triumphs in 1993, 2000, 2010, 2019, and 2025. The reigning champions won their first match 2-0 against Maruinense and aim to maintain momentum despite dealing with a ticket sales controversy for their ‘Sala Presidencial’ area. Independente-AP, following a goalless draw against Real Soccer, hopes to improve its standing in the tournament through this critical matchup.

The top two teams from each group will advance, with the tournament climax scheduled for January 25, 2026, coinciding with São Paulo city’s anniversary. The qualified teams thus far include Ponte Preta, Grêmio, Votuporanguense, Mirassol, Botafogo-SP, Guanabara City, XV de Jaú, Francana, Cruzeiro, Grêmio Prudente, Ceará, and Red Bull Bragantino.

This phase of the tournament sets up exciting knockout fixtures as teams intensify their campaigns for the prestigious youth football title in Brazil.