CBF defined on Wednesday (9) the clashes of the third phase, which marks the entry of 12 new teams in the competition-including the participating teams of Libertadores
At (CBF) headquarters, the draw that defined the clashes of the third phase of 2025. This stage marks the entry of 12 new teams in the competition, which join another 20 that advanced from the previous phase. Among the teams that start the dispute now are big names in Brazilian football, such as Botafogo, Flamengo, Palmeiras, Fortaleza, Internacional, Sao Paulo, Corinthians and Bahia, all classified for the Libertadores Cup. Cruzeiro also begins its participation in this phase, thanks to the classification obtained in the Brazilian Championship last year. In addition, Santos, Serie B champion, CRB of Alagoas, champion of the Northeast Cup, and Paysandu do Pará, the Green Cup champion, complete the list of newcomers. The classification for the round of 16 not only guarantees continuity in the competition, but also an awards of over R $ 2.3 million.
The 32 teams that seek the classification for the round of 16 will hold round -trip games in the weeks of April 30 and May 21. Among the most anticipated clashes, the Paraná Operário will face Vasco da Gama, while Fluminense will play against Aparecidense de Goiás. Paysandu will have as opponent Bahia, and Botafogo will face the capital of the Federal District. The Porto Alegre International will play against Maracanã do Ceará, and Fortaleza will face the retro of Pernambuco in a northeastern duel. Other clashes include Brusque against Atlético Paranaense, Ceará against Palmeiras, and Maringá against Atlético Mineiro.
The current champion Flamengo will face Botafogo da Paraíba, in a confrontation that promises to be exciting. São Paulo, in turn, will play against Nautical, while Santos will face the CRB of Alagoas. Corinthians will have a São Paulo meeting against Novo Horizontino. Criciúma against Bragantino and CSA against Grêmio complete the list of 16 games of the third phase.
