Brazil has been chosen to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup, marking the first time the tournament will take place in South America.
The announcement was made at a FIFA congress on Friday, a meeting also marked by intense debate over the war in Gaza.
The choice of Brazil reflects FIFA’s commitment to expanding the reach of women’s football to new continents, following the successful tournament hosted by Australia and New Zealand last year.
In a decisive vote held in Bangkok, FIFA delegates favored Brazil over a European bid, with a tally of 119 votes to 78. This victory over the joint bid from Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany ignited celebrations within the Brazilian bid team.
President of the Brazilian Football Confederation,Ednaldo Rodrigues, called the decision a “victory for Latin American football and for women’s football in Latin America.”
Brazil’s selection is not only a nod to its rich football heritage but also to its potential to inspire a new generation of female athletes in the region.
While FIFA’s evaluation report had highlighted Brazil’s strengths, scoring it higher than its European competitors, inspectors noted that hosting the Women’s World Cup in South America could have a “tremendous impact on women’s football in the region.”
Brazil’s bid features ten stadiums, all of which were used during the men’s World Cup in 2014.
Among these, Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracana stadium is set to host both the opening match and the final, promising a spectacular backdrop for the tournament. However, some venues, like the Amazonia stadium in Manaus, will require significant updates, as it has seen little use over the past decade.
While Brazil’s men’s team boasts five World Cup titles, the women’s team has yet to lift the trophy. The Brazilian women’s team experienced a disappointing group-stage exit in 2023, adding a layer of determination and anticipation to the upcoming 2027 tournament.
