[citation needed] Because they preceded the Brazil national squad which played its first match in 1914, sometimes Rio de Janeiro represented the country (as did the São Paulo state team), against foreign squads that toured South America, or against Argentina, who in that period were more developed in the practice of football.

[1] It is the most successful team in the Campeonato Brasileiro de Seleções Estaduais (Brazilian State Selection Championship), with 15 titles conquered.

Rio de Janeiro was the capital of Brazil until 1960, year of construction of Brasília, then the Seleção Carioca represented the Federal District (later, the Guanabara State) until in 1975, there was the unification of the city of Rio de Janeiro with the state of Rio de Janeiro.

There was also the Rio de Janeiro state football team (countryside), called Seleção Fluminense (1922–1978), who faced the Seleção Carioca several times in previous decades.

Following is the information about the players who appeared for the Rio de Janeiro state team:[2] These are all the managers who as headed Rio de Janeiro state team:[2] The Rio de Janeiro team played only three matches in the XXI century: The following players were called up for the Copa Inovação against São Paulo, on 9 December 2010.