Present in the semi-finals of the Copa do Brasil for the last three years, Corinthians is at risk of not competing in the competition in 2025. With the elimination against Flamengo on Sunday, Corinthians now has two paths to secure a spot in next year's Copa do Brasil: win the Copa Sudamericana or finish among the top six in the Brasileirão. The second option is virtually impossible. The gap between Corinthians and Internacional, currently in sixth place, is 17 points. There are still 24 points for Timão to contest in the Brasileirão and ten teams ahead until the qualification zone for the Libertadores. Therefore, the Copa Sudamericana gains even more importance. On Thursday, Timão faces Racing from Argentina at the Neo Química Arena in the first leg of the semi-final of the competition.

Why might Corinthians be left out? Since last year, the criteria for qualification for the Copa do Brasil have been changed. Instead of using the CBF ranking as a criterion, as it was until 2023, the spots have been filled according to the performance in the state championships. The São Paulo Football Federation is entitled to six spots in the Copa do Brasil, with five of them filled according to the standings in the São Paulo State Championship. The four semi-finalists automatically secure a spot in the tournament, while the team with the best performance eliminated in the quarterfinals gets the fifth spot. However, Timão was eliminated in the first round in 2024. The sixth and final spot would go to Monte Azul, champions of the Copa Paulista. However, the club chose to compete in the Série D and, as a result, Votuporanguense, runner-up of the Copa Paulista this year, will play in the Copa do Brasil in 2025.

Another way to secure a spot in the Copa do Brasil is by participating in the Copa Libertadores. The teams that compete in the continental tournament enter directly in the third phase. As the winner of the Copa Sudamericana secures a spot in the Libertadores next year, Corinthians is still in the fight. Timão has a tradition in the Copa do Brasil. They have participated 29 times, with three titles (1995, 2002, and 2009) and four runner-up finishes (2001, 2008, 2018, and 2022).