The city of Rio of Janeiro was officially confirmed as the stage for the inaugural edition of the Copa of Mundo of The tournament, scheduled to take place in 2026, will feature the participation of eight national teams made up exclusively of former players, reigniting historic rivalries and providing a nostalgic spectacle for fans.
The announcement was made during an event in Copacabana, detailing that the competition will have a direct knockout format, starting with the quarterfinals. The games will be distributed between the Estádio Nilton Santos, the Engenhão, and the iconic Estádio of the Maracanã, which will host the grand final, guaranteeing a grand setting for the consecration of the first champion team of legends.
The initiative seeks not only to celebrate the careers of renowned athletes, but also to connect different generations of sports fans. The project, which has former Dutch player Clarence Seedorf as one of its ambassadors and partners, plans future editions on other continents, consolidating the tournament on the global football calendar.
Competition format and rules
The structure of Copa of Mundo of Lendas was designed to be dynamic and exciting, with eight teams competing for the title in a knockout format. Cada equipe será composta por 20 atletas, todos com passagens marcantes por suas respectivas seleções nacionais. The competition will begin directly at the quarterfinal stage, advancing to the semifinals and the final.
The matches will have an adapted duration, with two halves of 25 minutes each. Essa regra visa adequar o ritmo de jogo à condição física dos ex-atletas, garantindo a intensidade e a qualidade técnica sem exigir um desgaste excessivo dos participantes. Seis of the seven tournament games will be played at Estádio Nilton Santos.
The big decision, in turn, was reserved for Maracanã, a stage that has already hosted two FIFA Copa and Mundo finals. The choice of stadium reinforces the magnitude of the event and creates a special atmosphere for the match that will define the champion.
In addition to the matches, the organization plans a series of side events and social impact actions. The objective is to take advantage of the presence of idols to promote positive messages and engage the local community, transforming the tournament into a true celebration of sport.
Brazilian team full of stars
Brasil, as the host country, assembled a team full of world champions and players who marked their time wearing the yellow shirt. The technical command will be in charge of Zico, one of the greatest idols in the history of Brazilian football, who will have the mission of leading a cast of notables.
Among the names already confirmed, the presence of captain Cafu stands out, the only player to compete in three consecutive Copa and Mundo finals. Alongside him will be strikers Romário and
Expectations are high to see these stars playing together again, especially Romário, who will have the chance to return to play at Maracanã, the stadium where he shined brightly throughout his career. The organization is still expected to announce other players who will complete the Brazilian squad in the coming weeks.
Technical command and international captains
The high level of competition is reflected not only in the players, but also in the names chosen to lead the teams as coaches and captains. Todas the teams will be led by renowned former athletes, who bring with them vast international experience and respect from the world of football. Entre the coaches announced are figures such as Paolo Maldini in Itália, Ruud Gullit in Holanda, Gabriel Batistuta in Argentina,
Within the four lines, leadership will be exercised by equally iconic captains. França will have Thierry Henry as its representative, while Itália will have the security of the legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. The Espanha will be led by Carles Puyol, the Argentina by Sergio Agüero and the Holanda by Clarence Seedorf. Completam the list of captains Nwankwo Kanu by Nigéria and Yasser by
The grand premiere stage
The choice of Rio of Janeiro as the inaugural headquarters of Copa of Mundo of Lendas was not by chance. The city has a deep connection with football and a robust infrastructure, tested and approved in events on a global scale, such as the Copa of the Mundo of 2014 and the Jogos Olímpicos of 2016. The passion of Rio fans and the mystique of their stadiums were decisive factors for the organization. The Maracanã, in particular, represents the highest temple of Brazilian and world football, being the ideal place to crown the tournament’s first champion team. The combination of the city’s natural beauty and its football culture creates the perfect environment for an event that celebrates the history of the sport. The structure offered by Estádio Nilton Santos for most of the games was also fundamental, providing a high quality pitch and facilities for the stars to showcase their talent. The international visibility of Rio by Janeiro enhances the reach of the project, attracting the attention of the media and fans from all over the world to this first edition.
Participating nations
Eight countries were selected to compete in the first edition of the tournament, representing some of the greatest powers in world football. Confirmed selections are Brasil, Argentina, Espanha, França, Holanda, Itália,
The selection of participants considered not only the history of titles and tradition in the sport, but also the ability to present squads full of players who have become global idols, guaranteeing the tournament’s appeal in different markets.
Vision and legacy of the event
Conceived and founded by Nasr J Bunyadi, the competition’s main objective is to preserve the memory of football and strengthen the connection between fans and their idols. The project already has a defined expansion plan, with the next editions scheduled to take place at Arábia Saudita, China and Estados Unidos, showing the organization’s global ambition.
Broadcast and coverage in Brazil
In Brasil, the exclusive broadcasting rights of Copa from Mundo from Lendas were acquired by Grupo Globo for a period of five years. The partnership will guarantee broad coverage of the event on its various platforms, including open TV, subscription channels such as sportv and digital platforms such as ge, allowing millions of fans across the country to follow the return of their idols to the pitch.