Cruzeiro Botafogo: kickoff time, TV and lineups today

Cruzeiro Botafogo kicks off at 4 p.m. Brasília time on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Mineirão in Belo Horizonte for Brasileirão round 20. Live coverage is on TV Globo and Premiere, with ge Tempo Real following every play. Eighth hosts ninth, one point apart, as Artur Jorge reunites with former side Botafogo.

Key Takeaways

• Kickoff is 4 p.m. Brasília time at Mineirão; TV Globo and Premiere carry the match.
• Cruzeiro sits eighth and Botafogo ninth, separated by a single point in Série A.
• Artur Jorge faces Botafogo for the first time since winning the 2024 league and Libertadores with the club.
• Cruzeiro is without Gabriel Pec (leg fracture), plus suspended Gerson and Matheus Pereira.
• Former staff partners Artur Jorge and Franclim Carvalho meet as opposing head coaches.

The fixture is more than mid-table arithmetic. For fans hunting buzz beyond the table, this Bizarre World matchup pairs a title-winning coach against his old club and his former assistant now in the opposite dugout.

Where can you watch Cruzeiro Botafogo live?

According to GE (globo.com), the game is broadcast live on TV Globo and Premiere. The same outlet is covering every incident in Tempo Real.

Cruzeiro arrives after a 2-1 away win over Internacional. Under Artur Jorge, the Raposa climbed off the bottom and closed the first half of the season within reach of a Libertadores push—the club’s main Série A target.

Botafogo comes off a draw with Vitória at Nilton Santos in a delayed round, after beating Santos on its return from the World Cup break. Franclim Carvalho’s side is locked on the Brasileirão while waiting for its Copa Sudamericana round-of-16 opponent, aiming to lock a top-half place.

What are the probable lineups and who is out?

GE lists a probable Cruzeiro XI of Otávio; William (or Fagner), Fabrício Bruno, Jonathan Jesus and Rojas; Lucas Romero, Matheus Henrique, Lucas Silva; Sinisterra, Bruno Rodrigues (or Arroyo) and Kaio Jorge. Lucas Romero returns from suspension; William versus Fagner is the full-back call.

Out for Cruzeiro: Cássio and Gabriel Pec (injured); Gerson and Matheus Pereira (suspended). Pec’s left-leg fracture could sideline him for up to four months, forcing Artur Jorge to rethink the attack and possibly the shape.

Botafogo’s probable side: Warleson (or Gabriel Batista); Vitinho, Ferraresi, Justino (or Lucas Monzón) and Alex Telles (or Paulinho); Huguinho, Medina, Danilo (or Lucas Villalba) and Montoro; Arthur Cabral and Matheus Martins. Ferraresi returns after suspension; Danilo is a strong starter candidate after Botafogo rejected a Palmeiras bid. Missing: Júnior Santos, Allan and Kaio Pantaleão (injured).

Referee is Davi De Oliveira Lacerda (Espírito Santo), with VAR Daniel Nobre Bins (Rio Grande do Sul).

Why does Artur Jorge vs Franclim Carvalho matter here?

Goal.com reports the Portuguese pair worked together at Braga, Botafogo and Al Rayyan before splitting paths. Artur Jorge was announced by Cruzeiro on March 22 without Franclim, who chose a first full head-coach role and was confirmed at Botafogo less than two weeks later—after briefly leading Fogão as interim in a 2024 win over Corinthians.

Artur Jorge downplayed the reunion: “On Sunday, we will have a Cruzeiro vs Botafogo, regardless of who is in charge… The important thing is for Cruzeiro to leave as winners.” Franclim joked he wishes his friends success—“except when they play against me.”

Campaign numbers are close: Artur Jorge has 11 wins, five draws and three losses in 19 official games (over 66%); Franclim has nine wins, five draws and three losses in 17 (over 60%). Sporting News adds Cruzeiro’s 10-game unbeaten run this season and recent head-to-head volatility, including Botafogo’s 4-0 on Jan. 30, 2026.