Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF)
The Brazilian Football Confederation (Portuguese: Confederação Brasileira de Futebol, abbreviated as CBF) serves as the primary governing body for football in Brazil. From managing the world-renowned national teams to organizing domestic leagues, the CBF is central to the administration of the sport in one of the world's most successful footballing nations.
Headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, the CBF oversees the development and regulation of the game across the country. It also maintains Granja Comary, a dedicated training center located in Teresópolis, which serves as the base for the national squads.
Key Facts
- Founded: June 8, 1914 (originally as Federação Brasileira de Sports).
- FIFA Affiliation: Joined in 1923.
- CONMEBOL Affiliation: Joined in 1916.
- Current President: Samir Xaud.
- Major Honors: Manages the men's national team, winners of five FIFA World Cups (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002).
- Financials: Reported 2024 budget of $265.6 million (R$ 1.5 billion) with a 2025 projection of $398.4 million (R$ 2.25 billion).
Organizational History
The Early Era: 1914 to 1979
The roots of the CBF began on June 8, 1914, with the creation of the Brazilian Sports Federation (FBS) by the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Athletic Sports League (LMEA) and the São Paulo Athletic Sports Association (APEA). This entity was designed to govern all sports in Brazil, not just football.
Conflict arose in 1915 when the São Paulo Foot-Ball League (LPF) formed the Brazilian Football Federation (FBF) to challenge the FBS. The tension peaked in 1916 when Argentina hosted the first South American Football Championship (now the Copa América), and Brazil lacked a single representative body. To resolve this, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lauro Müller facilitated a merger, leading to the creation of the Brazilian Sports Confederation (CBD) on June 21, 1916.
The organization remained the CBD until September 24, 1979. At that time, a FIFA decree mandated that national football entities be dedicated exclusively to football. Because the CBD still managed various Olympic sports, it officially transitioned into the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).
Evolution and Modern Governance (1979–Present)
The 1980s were a period of transition. Under Giulite Coutinho, the national team competed in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups. Following Coutinho, Octavio Pinto Guimarães took over during a time of financial instability, which led to the controversial 1987 Copa União replacing the official Campeonato Brasileiro.
The tenure of Ricardo Teixeira (1989–2012) was a complex era of sporting success and administrative turmoil. Teixeira introduced the Copa do Brasil, a knockout competition similar to the FA Cup. While the national team secured World Cup victories in 1994 and 2002 and five Copa América titles, the domestic league faced frequent regulation changes, culminating in the massive 116-team Copa João Havelange in 2000. Stability finally arrived in 2003 with the introduction of the current round-robin format.
Since 2012, the CBF has seen a succession of presidents, including José Maria Marin, Marco Polo Del Nero, Antônio Carlos Nunes Lima, Rogério Caboclo, and Ednaldo Rodrigues. The organization has faced significant challenges, including the historic 7-1 defeat to Germany in the 2014 World Cup and various legal scandals involving its leadership. Samir Xaud currently leads the confederation.
Women's Football Development
Following pressure from FIFA during the 2007 Women's World Cup, the CBF expanded its commitment to the women's game. This led to the launch of the Women's Copa do Brasil in 2007 and the women's Campeonato Brasileiro in 2013. The Brazil women's national team achieved significant success during this era, notably finishing as runners-up in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup.
CBF Summary Profile
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Confederação Brasileira de Futebol |
| Headquarters | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Training Center | Granja Comary (Teresópolis) |
| Key Competitions | Campeonato Brasileiro, Copa do Brasil |
| World Cup Titles | 5 (Men's) |
| Current President | Samir Xaud |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the CBF founded?
The organization was originally founded on June 8, 1914, as the Federação Brasileira de Sports. It later became the CBD in 1916 before officially becoming the CBF on September 24, 1979.
Why did the CBD change its name to CBF?
The change occurred because FIFA issued a decree requiring national football governing bodies to be solely dedicated to football. The CBD previously managed multiple Olympic sports, necessitating the split.
Which national teams does the CBF manage?
The CBF is responsible for the Brazil men's national team, the Brazil women's national team, and various youth teams for both genders.
What are the primary domestic competitions organized by the CBF?
The CBF organizes the Campeonato Brasileiro (the top-tier national league) and the Copa do Brasil (the primary knockout cup competition).
Who is the current president of the CBF?
The current president of the Brazilian Football Confederation is Samir Xaud.