Fourth Round of the 2026 Copa do Brasil is Set: See the Fixtures and the National Football's Surprises
It's today, folks! The CBF has released the list of qualified teams and the fixtures for the fourth round of the 2026 Copa do Brasil, and things are starting to heat up. This is the moment we begin to separate the contenders from the pretenders, where the Serie A sides start to sweat nervously at the thought of underdog stories from the lower divisions. And, honestly, this year it's looking particularly tasty.
Heavyweight Clashes and the Strength of Serie B
What really grabbed my attention in this lineup was the strong presence of Serie B teams. While the big boys are wary of each other, the second-division clubs have shown they mean business, securing their places through sheer grit. Traditional sides like Sport, Criciúma, and Vila Nova, who have shaken things up in previous editions, are back to cause trouble. It just goes to show that the Copa do Brasil isn't just a tournament; it's a national passion that levels the playing field and gives the underdog a real shot.
Check out some of the ties that promise to grip the nation in the coming weeks:
- Flamengo x Coritiba: The always-favourite rubro-negro take on a Coxa side that caused upsets against giants back in 2024. Expect drama at the Maracanã.
- Palmeiras x Sport: The current champions from the 2025 edition (yes, that historic final against Inter) will have to sweat it out against Leão da Ilha, who are flying high in Serie B.
- São Paulo x Criciúma: O Tigre have already shown they have no fear of visiting the Morumbi. If São Paulo aren't careful, they could be in for a shock.
- Atlético-MG x Vila Nova: Galo, who went out in the quarter-finals last year, are looking to make up for lost time, but Vila Nova are a tough, no-nonsense outfit.
The Future is Also Playing: Under-20 and Women's Competitions
And it's not just the senior sides making waves. Anyone who follows the youth setups knows that the Under-20 Copa do Brasil has become the breeding ground for tomorrow's stars. The kids are putting pressure on the first-team regulars, and it wouldn't surprise me if one of them breaks through by the time the round of 16 comes around for the senior team. Meanwhile, the women continue to write their own history in the Women's Copa do Brasil. The standard of football on display has improved so much that their matches now rival the men's in terms of viewership and sheer excitement. Corinthians and Ferroviária, for instance, played out a semi-final last year that was worthy of a World Cup final.
Speaking of which, I can't help but remember the 2024 edition, with that legendary last-gasp goal from Hulk, and Palmeiras' spectacular comeback in 2025. These recent memories only heighten the pressure on the teams now taking to the pitch. The 2024 Copa do Brasil showed that no game is a foregone conclusion, and the edition proved that Brazilian football's proverbial flask is always full of hot surprises.
It's Do or Die Now
From the fourth round onwards, mistakes are fatal. It's two-legged ties played under the watchful eye of 200 million armchair managers. Have the Serie B teams who made it this far already achieved their goals? No way! They want blood; they want a place in the last 16 and, who knows, a clash with a giant to fill both 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 giant flags. The fourth round promises nights of glory and tears. And, as I always say here at the desk: in Brazil, nothing is decided until the final whistle blows. Stick with me – the show is just getting started!