Brazilian clubs face phased reduction in foreign player limit from 2027

The Brazilian Football Confederation will gradually reduce the number of foreign players clubs in the top two divisions can field in a match, with the new limit reaching five by 2030.

The changes will begin in 2027, when the current allowance will be reduced from nine foreign players to eight. The limit will then fall to seven in 2028, six in 2029 and five in 2030 – the same limit that applied until 2022.

The Confederation says the policy is designed to create more opportunities for players developed in Brazil and partly address the sharp rise in the number of foreign professionals in the domestic game.

Clubs will also have to reserve an increasing proportion of their 50-player registration lists for Brazilian players aged under 23. The quota will be 20 players in 2027, rising to 21 in 2028, 23 in 2029 and 25 in 2030.

The decision follows a significant increase in the number of foreign players in the Brazilian league. A study published by the Brazilian Football Confederation found that the figure rose from 95 in 2022 to 162 in 2025.

A further 146 foreign players have appeared in matches during the current season, while 13 others are included in clubs’ squads but have yet to make their debuts.

Helder Melo, chief executive of the Brazilian Football Confederation, said the measures would still “preserve a large number of foreign players”.

He added that reducing the limit and changing registration rules would give under-23 players more space and improve the technical level of Brazilian teams over the medium and long term.

The proposal was based on a recommendation from the formative clubs movement during meetings of the Brazilian core working group. It was approved by 40 clubs and Brazilian federations, with two votes against.

The reform also reflects concerns about the age profile of players in Brazil’s league. The average age is 28.5, compared with 27 in Spain, 26.4 in England, 26.3 in Germany, 26.1 in Italy and 26 in France.

There is an economic dimension to the decision. Players aged under 20 accounted for 50.1% of Brazil’s revenue from overseas transfers between 2016 and 2025.

The Confederation says restricting young players’ opportunities could affect clubs’ ability to develop talent and market players to teams abroad.

However, an analysis of 219 matches found that the average number of foreign players listed in Brazilian league match squads is currently 5.4 per game, below the present maximum of eight players.