25 Aug 2026
What is the Brasileirão G4 and how does it work?
The G4 is the group of the top four teams in the Brazilian Championship. Find out what this position represents, how the standings are decided and why it can secure a place in the Libertadores.
What does G4 mean in the Brasileirão?
G4 is short for “Group of 4”. The term identifies the four clubs occupying the top four positions in the Brasileirão standings after each round or at the end of the season. The abbreviation is used by fans, journalists and clubs to refer to the upper end of the table.
Does the G4 guarantee a place in the Libertadores?
Generally, finishing in the Brasileirão’s top four secures a direct place in the group stage of the following season’s Copa Libertadores. The allocation can change depending on the Libertadores and Copa do Brasil winners, as well as other places determined by CONMEBOL. As a result, a Libertadores place may extend to the G5 or beyond.
How are the top four decided?
The table is first ordered by points. A win is worth three points, a draw one and a defeat none. If two or more clubs finish level on points, the Brasileirão applies tie-breakers such as wins, goal difference and goals scored, in accordance with that edition’s regulations.
The G4 during the season and the final G4
The G4 can change after every round. A club in fourth place today may drop out of the group in the next round. The final G4 is determined after the last round and is more important because it establishes official qualification for continental competitions, according to the places available that season.
G4, G6 and the Libertadores qualifying rounds
In addition to G4, the table may use terms such as G6, which covers the top six teams. Depending on the winners of domestic and continental competitions, clubs in lower positions may earn a place in the Libertadores or its preliminary qualifying rounds. However, G4 continues to refer to the top four places in the standings.
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