24 Aug 2026
What is the Z4 in football? Understanding the relegation zone
Z4 is the name given to the bottom four positions in a league table decided by points. In the Brasileirão, clubs that finish in these positions are relegated to Série B.
Z4 is the relegation zone
Z4 means “the bottom four”. The term is used mainly in the Brazilian Championship to identify the teams occupying the bottom four places in Série A. At the end of the 38-match season, these four clubs are relegated to Série B for the following season.
How the Z4 works in the Brasileirão
Série A has 20 teams. Each plays 38 matches, home and away, earning three points for a win, one for a draw and none for a defeat. After the final round, the teams finishing from 17th to 20th make up the Z4. They drop out of the top flight.
What happens when teams are level on points
League position does not depend solely on the points total. If two or more clubs finish level, the regulations apply tiebreakers. In the Brasileirão, the first is the number of wins, followed by goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head record, fewer red cards, fewer yellow cards and, if necessary, a draw.
Why teams are said to move into or out of the Z4 during the season
The Z4 changes after every round because results alter the standings. A team can enter the relegation zone even after drawing if a rival wins and overtakes it. Likewise, leaving the Z4 means temporarily finishing above 17th place. Relegation is only confirmed definitively at the end of the season.
The Z4 and other terms used in the table
The term specifically refers to the relegation of four clubs, but other leagues may have different rules. In Série B, for example, the bottom four are also relegated, in this case to Série C. The group qualifying for the Libertadores is usually called the G4, although the number of places may vary depending on the season and the domestic cup winners.
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