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| 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup |
For the first time, the Women’s World Cup will be held in South America, with Brazil selected as the host for the 2027 edition during a FIFA congress on Friday.
Following the triumph of Australia and New Zealand the previous year, FIFA members chose Brazil over a European proposal, aiming to broaden women’s football across new continents.
At the Bangkok assembly, delegates cast 119 votes to 78, awarding the 10th Women’s World Cup to Brazil, known for its samba football, outvoting the combined bid from Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.
The Brazilian bid team erupted in joy at the decision.
Ednaldo Rodrigues, President of the Brazilian Football Confederation, celebrated the decision as a “triumph for Latin American football and for women’s football in the region.”
Brazil, the country of the legendary women’s footballer Marta, ranked above its European competition in FIFA’s assessment report.
FIFA evaluators highlighted the “significant influence on women’s football in the area” that hosting the Women’s World Cup in South America would bring.
Brazil’s proposal features 10 venues from the 2014 men’s World Cup, with the iconic Maracana in Rio de Janeiro set for the inaugural game and the finale.
However, there is work to be done, especially on the Amazonia stadium in Manaus, which has been largely unused for ten years.
Brazil’s women, unlike the men's team with five World Cup victories, have yet to win the trophy and were eliminated in the group stage in 2023.
The previous tournament broke records, including generating $570 million in commercial revenue.
The earlier World Cups' characteristic uneven scorelines were absent, indicating an improvement in the quality of women’s football.
Seven squads achieved their first World Cup victories, and the United States and Germany, winners of six of the eight preceding tournaments, were both ousted early.
The only blemish occurred after the last final in Sydney, where Spain triumphed over England 1-0.
Luis Rubiales, the head of the Spanish football federation, caused a scandal by forcefully kissing midfielder Jenni Hermoso during the award ceremony, and he is now facing legal action for sexual assault.
