Palmeiras and Flamengo, the two richest and most competitive clubs in Brazil, separately approached the CBF with the same request: adherence to FIFA dates from 2026 onwards. Both clubs are tired of playing without their players, who are on international duty. Samir Xaud assured them that everything will change next year, as Brazilian leagues will align with the global practice of pausing during FIFA dates.
Palmeiras lost Vitor Roque to Brazil, Flaco López to Argentina, while Flamengo had to give up Danilo and Alex Sandro to Brazil, among others. Both clubs had key players missing from important matches as a result. Despite their rivalry, both sit atop the Brasileiro standings with 68 points each, making the upcoming matches crucial in the title race with only five games left in the season.
Leila Pereira and Luiz Eduardo Baptista, presidents of Palmeiras and Flamengo respectively, have had disagreements over various issues. However, the situation on Saturday brought them together indirectly as they both demanded changes from CBF President Samir Xaud regarding scheduling conflicts during FIFA dates. Xaud acknowledged the clubs’ concerns and pledged that such conflicts will not occur after the next year’s overhaul, enhancing the credibility of Brazilian football.
Xaud emphasized that the recent calendar change for 2026 was a step towards aligning Brazilian football with international standards. The collaboration between Palmeiras and Flamengo, unintentional as it may have been, underscores their pivotal roles in driving change and holding the CBF accountable for the betterment of Brazilian football. As the country’s wealthiest clubs, they are poised to continue supplying a significant number of players to national teams, underscoring the need for the CBF to align with global practices such as respecting FIFA dates.
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