The president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Ednaldo Rodrigues, promised that the Copa do Nordeste will continue to guarantee the champion a place in the third phase of the Copa do Brasil. The statement was made this Tuesday (14), during the draw for the group stage of the regional competition.
“They said there wouldn’t be a place for the third phase of the Copa do Brasil. That’s a lie. Yes, it will continue. Just like the Copa Verde”, said the president.
When the specific regulations (REC) for the 2025 edition of Nordestão were released, had removed the article that provided for this vacancy.
Until the year 2024, the REC provided, in its article 4 of chapter 2, the following: “the COPA champion club will have a guaranteed place in the 3rd phase of the 2025 Copa do Brasil; If this club wins this place due to its participation in the 2025 CONMEBOL Libertadores or through another criterion contained in the REC of the Copa do Brasil, it will pass it on to the runner-up club of the COPA, and so on”.
This text was removed from the 2025 regulations, but Ednaldo Rodrigues guarantees that it will remain in effect.
Changes
Another change compared to previous years’ regulations was made to the dispute system. Now, in the group stage, teams from each group will face each other.
Previously, teams from Group A played against those from Group B, and vice versa. With the new formula, the competition will have one less game on the CBF calendar.
This also implies the quarterfinals of the Copa do Nordeste. The first place in Group A will face the fourth in Group B; the second in Group A will face the third in Group B, and so on.
Dates of the Northeast Cup
The group stage is scheduled to start on January 22nd and end on March 26th. The quarterfinals will be on June 4th; the semi-final, on June 8; and the finals will be played on the 3rd and 7th of September.
