Fourth Round of the 2026 Copa do Brasil Set: See the Matchups and National Football's Surprises

It's go time, folks! The CBF has released the list of qualified teams and the matchups for the fourth round of the 2026 Copa do Brasil, and things are starting to heat up. This is the moment we start to separate the men from the boys, where the Serie A teams start sweating bullets at the thought of potential upsets from the lower divisions. And, let me tell you, this year things are looking particularly spicy.

Heavyweight Matchups and the Strength of Serie B

What really caught my eye in this draw was the strong presence of Serie B teams. While the big guys are busy with their rivalries, the second-division clubs have shown they mean business, securing their spots through sheer grit. Traditional powerhouses like Sport, Criciúma, and Vila Nova, who have shaken things up in past editions, are back to cause some trouble. It just goes to show that the Copa do Brasil isn't just another tournament; it's a national passion that levels the playing field and gives the underdog a real shot.

Here are just a few of the clashes that promise to captivate the country in the coming weeks:

• Flamengo vs. Coritiba: The always-favourite Rubro-Negro takes on a Coritiba side that has pulled off upsets against giants back in 2024. Expect drama at the Maracanã.
• Palmeiras vs. Sport: The reigning 2025 champions (yes, that historic final against Internacional) will have to sweat it out against Leão da Ilha, who are flying high in Serie B.
• São Paulo vs. Criciúma: O Tigre has already shown they have no fear of visiting the Morumbi. If São Paulo slips up, they could be in for a shock.
• Atlético-MG vs. Vila Nova: Galo, who fell in the quarter-finals last year, is looking to make up for lost time, but Vila Nova is a tough, no-nonsense team.

The Future is Also on the Pitch: U-20 and Women's Tournaments

And it's not just the professional squads making waves. Anyone who follows the youth categories knows that the Copa do Brasil U-20 has become the breeding ground for tomorrow's stars. The kids are putting pressure on the starters, and I wouldn't be surprised to see one of them break out by the time the Round of 16 for the senior team rolls around. Meanwhile, the women continue to write history in the Copa do Brasil Feminino. The quality of women's football has improved so much that their matches now rival the men's in both viewership and sheer excitement. Take Corinthians and Ferroviária, for example – their semi-final last year was worthy of a World Cup final.

Speaking of which, I can't help but remember the 2024 edition, with that legendary last-minute goal from Hulk, and Palmeiras's spectacular comeback in 2025. These recent memories only heighten the pressure on the teams stepping onto the pitch now. The 2024 Copa do Brasil showed us no game is a sure thing, and the edition proved that Brazilian football always has surprises in store.

It's Do or Die Now

From the fourth round onward, mistakes are fatal. It's two-legged ties with the pressure of 200 million armchair coaches. Have the Serie B teams that made it this far already met their goals? No way! They're hungry for more; they want that spot in the Round of 16 and, who knows, a matchup against a giant to fill the coffers and the soul. That's why the 2026 Copa do Brasil is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.

Get your hearts ready, warm up your vocal cords, and dust off your rally towels. The fourth round promises nights of glory and tears. And, as I always say from the desk: in Brazil, until the final whistle, nothing is decided. Stick with me – the show is just getting started!