The Women’s World Cup is set to take place in South America for the first time ever, as Brazil has been selected to host the 2027 edition.
This historic decision was made during a FIFA congress on Friday, marking a significant milestone for women’s football on the continent.
Following the successful hosting of the tournament by Australia and New Zealand last year, FIFA members opted to bring the prestigious event to South America. Brazil was chosen over a European bid, winning by a vote of 119 to 78.
The European bid was a joint effort by Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. The decision in favor of Brazil sparked celebrations among the Brazilian bid team, who see this as a huge opportunity for the growth of women’s football in the region.
Ednaldo Rodrigues, President of the Brazilian Football Confederation, described the selection as a “victory for Latin American football and for women’s football in Latin America.” Brazil, renowned for its rich football history and home to iconic players like Marta, received high marks in FIFA’s evaluation report.
The report highlighted the significant positive impact that hosting the Women’s World Cup would have on women’s football throughout South America.
The Brazilian bid proposed using 10 stadiums, many of which were also utilized during the 2014 Men’s World Cup.
Among these, Rio de Janeiro’s famous Maracana stadium is set to host both the opening match and the final.
However, there are some challenges to address, notably the Amazonia stadium in Manaus, which has seen little use over the past decade and will require substantial work to be ready for the tournament.
Despite the success of Brazil’s male footballers, who have won five World Cups, the women’s team has yet to claim a World Cup trophy.
In the 2023 tournament, Brazil’s women made an early exit during the group stage.
The previous Women’s World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand, was a landmark event, breaking records and generating $570 million in commercial revenue.
The tournament also showcased the growing competitiveness of women’s football. Contrary to concerns that expanding the tournament from 24 to 32 teams would lead to weaker performances, the event saw over 1.4 million fans attending matches and several surprising results.
Notably, seven teams secured their first-ever World Cup victories, while traditional powerhouses like the United States and Germany were eliminated earlier than expected.
One of the only negative aspects of last year’s tournament was an incident involving the Spanish football federation chief, Luis Rubiales.
Following Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in the final, Rubiales caused outrage by forcibly kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso during the medal ceremony.
This act led to significant backlash, and Rubiales now faces prosecution for sexual assault.
Overall, the selection of Brazil as the host for the 2027 Women’s World Cup marks a significant step forward for women’s football in South America.
The tournament promises to further elevate the sport’s profile and inspire a new generation of female footballers across the continent.
