Fla and Vasco may face relegation play-off in the Cariocão💡OneFootballTue, February 3, 2026 at 2:07 AM UTC·1 min readThe fifth and penultimate round of the 2026 Cariocão ended this Monday (2nd) with the sleepy 0-0 draw between Vasco and Madureira.
Mathematically, only Fluminense (leader of Group A with 12 points) and Botafogo (leader of Group B with nine points) are qualified for the quarterfinals of the state tournament.
Second place in Group A with 10 points, Volta Redonda has "one and a half feet in," since Sampaio Corrêa, fifth place with seven points, could even match their points, but the difference in point differential favors the team from the south of the state (+4 vs. -1).
But while Tricolor das Laranjeiras and Glorioso are already guaranteed in the next phase, Vasco and Flamengo could end up in the relegation playoff group.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis would happen if Cruz-Maltino, currently fourth in Group A with eight points, does not beat Botafogo in the last round, and Sampaio Corrêa defeats Rubro-Negro.
According to the 2026 Cariocão regulations, the bottom two teams from each group go to the relegation playoff group.
Only ONE TEAM would be relegated to the state second division.
📅 Last round
Saturday (7th) - Portuguesa vs. Nova Iguaçu
Saturday (7th) - Bangu vs. Boavista
Saturday (7th) - Flamengo vs. Sampaio Corrêa
Sunday (8th) - Volta Redonda vs. Madureira
Sunday (8th) - Vasco vs. Botafogo
Sunday (8th) - Fluminense vs. Maricá
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
📸 Wagner Meier - 2025 Getty Images
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