Brazil: foreign-player quota to be gradually reduced through 2030

Brazilian Série A and B clubs have approved a gradual reduction in the number of foreign players allowed in their squads. The measure, presented by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), will begin to apply in 2027 and is expected to gradually bring the limit down to five foreign players per team by 2030.

The change will be implemented in stages. The quota, currently set at nine foreign players, will drop to eight in 2027, then to seven in 2028. It will be reduced to six in 2029 before reaching five in 2030. The CBF's stated objective is to gradually change the composition of squads without imposing an abrupt break on the clubs.

According to UOL, the reform is part of an effort to further promote the presence of young Brazilian players in the championship. Data presented at the meeting showed that Brazilian players under the age of 23 currently account for 11.5% of the minutes played in Série A. Including young foreign players, that proportion reaches approximately 14%. UOL cites rates of 28% in Italy and 38% in France for comparison.

Flamengo directly affected

Flamengo is one of the clubs particularly affected by this decision. The Rio de Janeiro club currently has ten foreign players in its squad. Under the current regulations, it therefore cannot register all of them simultaneously on a team sheet when the entire squad is available.

The club opposed the reform during the meeting. According to UOL, Flamengo and Bahia voted against the quota reduction. Flamengo president Luiz Eduardo Baptista also wanted the clubs to discuss another rule concerning transfers between Série A teams. The CBF said that this issue was not on the agenda and could be considered at a future meeting.

The new regulations will therefore give clubs several seasons to adapt their squads. By 2030, the limit will fall from nine to five foreign players, meaning four fewer places per team. This change should force clubs that rely most heavily on the international market to gradually review their recruitment policies.

Nouya M'toama

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Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

Related teams and leagues

Serie A Brazil