With exactly 365 days until the 2027 Women's World Cup kicks off across eight Brazilian cities from 24 June to 25 July, preparations are intensifying. This will be the third major women's football tournament hosted by Brazil in two decades, following the 2007 Pan American Games and the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Legacy leadership and historical significance
Aline Pellegrino, who captained Brazil in 2007, has been appointed executive director of legacy and stakeholder affairs for the 2027 tournament. She is leading efforts to build the future of women's football beyond the World Cup. The final at the Maracanã will coincide with the 20th anniversary of Brazil's Pan American football gold.
"The mere fact that the Women's World Cup is coming to Brazil for the first time represents, in itself, a legacy built by generations of women who were long rendered invisible," Pellegrino told Moving the Goalposts. She hopes the tournament will be remembered for the changes it brings for future generations.
Current captain's perspective
Midfielder Angelina Constantino, one of the current captains of the national team, was only seven during the 2007 Pan American Games. She wears the iconic No 8 shirt formerly worn by Brazilian legend Formiga. Constantino captained Brazil to a 4-2 win over Spain to reach the Olympic final in Paris 2024.
"As soon as we step foot on the pitch for the opening match, we will need a lot of will power, a lot of grit, and love for that shirt," Constantino said. "Playing at home, having our families watching... we know that we'll be representing the whole country so I feel like it's a great moment for the women's game."
Record-breaking friendlies and fan support
In April, Brazil played two friendlies against the USA, setting attendance and viewership records. The first match in São Paulo drew 31,336 fans to the Neo Química Arena, despite being scheduled at the same time as a men's national team friendly. The second in Fortaleza attracted 55,744 supporters, a women's football attendance record for the north-eastern region.
Constantino noted that 68% of the 55,000 fans in Fortaleza were women. "That made me so happy; they were amazing, supporting us through everything. It was definitely a little taste of what we can see next year."
USA head coach Emma Hayes said she had "never heard anything like that before" after the São Paulo match, describing the environment as a "mock" for what to expect in 2027. Brazil won the first game 2-1, but the USA won the second 1-0 in a tense match that saw eight red cards for Brazil and six yellow cards for the USA.
On-field and off-field ambitions
Pellegrino is focused on developing strategies to support women's football, improve infrastructure, and create social impact. Constantino is concentrating on the pitch, where she hopes the team can win their first World Cup title. Brazil lost the 2007 final 2-0 to Germany in China, but on home soil they hope fan support will be key.
Pellegrino recalled the 2007 Pan American final against the USA at the Maracanã, where Brazil won 5-0 in front of more than 70,000 fans. "The feeling I experienced as I emerged from that tunnel and found myself in front of more than 70,000 Brazilians cheering on the women's national team is indescribable," she said.
Government recognition and historical amends
This month, the Brazilian government introduced a Women's World Cup Law, which will financially compensate pioneers of the national team for their services between the 1980s and 1990s. Pellegrino emphasized that Brazilian women's football has a history marked by struggle and resilience, built by women who dared to play when it was banned. "Listening to, valuing and honouring these stories is essential if we are to make historical amends."
