Flamengo lost to Fluminense 2-1 this Sunday (25/01), in a classic at Maracanã, and is at great risk of competing in Group X, the relegation quadrangle of the Campeonato Carioca 2026. The Guanabara Cup, Carioca’s first round, does not relegate any club, not even the one with the worst campaign.
After five games played, Flamengo is in fifth place in Group B, with four points. Thus, they find themselves in a position to go to Group X and being eliminated from the race for Carioca’s title.
There is only one duel left for Fla, against Sampaio Corrêa, for the club to close the campaign in the Guanabara Cup.
How many teams are relegated in Carioca 2026?
O Carioca 2026 will have a relegation. Another team may fall, but will be able to survive in a confrontation against the runner-up in second place.
Group X of Carioca 2026: what is it?
O Group X will bring together the two worst placed teams from Group A and the two worst placed teams from Group B. The teams will face each other in turns, all against all, totaling six matches for each club. The duels will be played until March 8th.
All teams begin this phase with zero points, without carrying the points won in the Guanabara Cup. At the end of the six rounds, the classification of Group X determines the fate of the teams.
O Last place in Group X will be relegated directly to Series A2 of the 2027 Carioca Championship.
The second-to-last placed team does not automatically fall, but will have to compete in a playoff for access and permanence against the runner-up of the 2026 Series A2. The confrontation will define who will play in the elite of Rio football in the following season.
Series A2 is scheduled to take place between April 18th and July 25th, which means that the access playoff will only be held in August.
Carioca 2026: updated classification
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