1st RFEF, 2nd RFEF and 3rd RFEF: what each category will be like and what each one is equivalent to

It has been a long time since the Royal Spanish Football Federation announced the remodeling of non-professional football. Now, First RFEF, Second RFEF and Third RFEF are born, somewhat complex categories, with many members and not yet popularized among fans. Therefore, AS has developed a question and answer to shed light on what will be the new modest football:

First RFEF

Who will compose it?

40 teams. 26 of them came out of the top three classified in each of the initial subgroups. Ten have made it from the intermediate phase: the two best from each of the groups in that phase. The remaining four will be the four that descend from Second Division. One of them is already the Alba.

What will the category be like?

It will be divided into two groups of 20, which will play back and forth. From there will come the promotions to Second. The main objective is for this category to approach professionalization and for all the teams that make it up to be prepared to make the leap to LaLiga SmartBank.

What is it equivalent to?

In the third category of Spanish football, only below First and Second. For this reason, the 62 Second B teams that do not reach it will be doomed to a decline, either to Second RFEF or Third RFEF.

When will all the members of the First RFEF meet?

With the end of the Second Division on May 30.

Second RFEF

Who will compose it?

Of the 102 teams this season in Second Division B, 40 will play in the Pro or Second Division. Of the remaining 62, 26 will go down to Third RFEF: the five worst in each of the relegation phase groups and the worst overall third. 36 left. To them must be added the two best of each of the 18 promotion phase groups of the current Third Division. That is, another 36 for a total of 72.

There will still be 18 to be distributed. These will be, one per group, for the winners of the so-called Final Phase of Promotion to Second Division RFEF. 18 different tables will be created, one for each group. In them will be the third, fourth, fifth and sixth of the promotion phase groups and the best two of the intermediate phase groups. From each of these pictures a new ascended will emerge. A total of 54 promotions plus 36 stays: 90 teams in the new Second RFEF.

What will the category be like?

In principle, there will be five groups of 18 teams each. The idea is to play a traditional year, everyone against everyone back and forth and that promotions are configured in a less bizarre way. The bases of this new competition are not yet confirmed.

What is it equivalent to?

In the fourth category of Spanish football, only below First, Second and First RFEF. For this reason, the 62 Second B teams that do not reach it will be doomed to a decline, either to this Second RFEF or Third RFEF, because this year's Second B is now third category.

When will all the members of the Second RFEF meet?

If the pandemic allows it, on June 20, four weeks later than Second B, the Third Division will end. After its conclusion, the 54 promotions will be known, although there will be some previously confirmed beforehand.

Third RFEF

Who will compose it?

The 26 descended from the current Second Division B, the 234 who achieve permanence in the Third Division and the 64 who rise from regional categories. A total of 324 teams.

What will the category be like?

In principle, there will be 18 groups of 18 teams each. The idea is, as in Second RFEF, to make the phases of this season disappear and return to the traditional all against all in the regular phase and eliminatory by promotion. The rules of the competition are not yet stipulated.

What is it equivalent to?

In the fifth category of Spanish football, below First, Second, First RFEF and Second RFEF. Therefore, the 26 descendants of Segunda B (third category this year) incur a double decline upon reaching fifth grade. What's more, the 234 saved would actually be going down a level, since they go from fourth to fifth category. Those promoted from Regional, although they pass to a category regulated by the Federation and closer to a solid foundation and with a view to the future, they do nothing more than stay in the fifth division in which they already were.

When will all the members of the Third RFEF meet?

It is more difficult to establish clearly when each and every promotion that must be given will take place.