Serie B teams kick off 2026 season with mixed state showings

The opening round of Brazil's state championships gave a first look at how the 20 clubs that will contest Serie B in 2026 are shaping up. Results were varied: some teams registered confidence-boosting wins, others exposed gaps that managers will need to fix before the national campaign.

América-MG began its year with a win over Athletic-MG in the Mineiro, picking up early momentum. In the Catarinense, Criciúma beat Avaí, while Goiás made a statement in the Goianão with a debut goleada. Novorizontino, meanwhile, suffered a setback in the Paulistão, losing by reversal to Santos. Botafogo-SP and Velo Clube played out a goalless draw, Náutico opened with a victory in the Pernambucano, and Juventude started its Gaúcho campaign with a draw. These opening fixtures offer practical snapshots of fitness, tactical setups and squad depth heading into the more intense Serie B calendar.

Coaches used the state matches for multiple purposes: sharpening first-team tactics, giving minutes to fringe players and protecting key assets. Several clubs fielded rotated or base squads to manage workload; Ceará notably leaned on younger players in its early matches. That experimental approach has community relevance: fans will want to track which youngsters seize opportunities, which veterans return to form, and which starters still need game time before the season proper.

The lineups and substitutions managers chose in these state showings matter beyond single results. For clubs chasing immediate promotion, competitive state performances can build cohesion and confidence. For teams prioritizing long-term endurance, using states as a conditioning and evaluation phase helps avoid early-season burnout and injury. Local supporters should pay attention to recurring selection patterns, set-piece organization and defensive stability—areas that often indicate how a side will perform across the long Serie B sprint.

Calendar timing also plays a role. The state championships have provided the first official matches of 2026 and established match rhythm for squads coming off preseason. Continued monitoring of minutes played and injury reports over the next few rounds will clarify whether teams maintain the balance between competitiveness and preservation.

For readers following Serie B, the immediate takeaway is to treat these state results as directional, not definitive. Track emerging starters from the youth ranks, note which sides sustain high-intensity performances, and watch for tactical adjustments as managers refine their squads. The next rounds of estaduais will sharpen the picture and set the tone for how those promotion campaigns will begin.