Rio de Janeiro witnessed an epic morning, with the launch of the official FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ brand. The launch event also served as the symbolic kick-off for the journey towards the finals, celebrated by several footballing legends in attendance.
“Bringing the World Cup to our country is a huge victory for the women’s game. Women’s football is a reality here. There’s no turning back,” said Cristiane, who featured in the tournament between 2007 and 2019.
Brazil’s second-highest goalscorer (11) in Women’s World Cup history split her attention throughout the day between the launch and her two children, Bento and Aurora. At just five months old, her daughter is a perfect symbol of the future Cristiane hopes the World Cup will help to shape.
“I’m incredibly happy the World Cup is coming here; it will leave a significant and lasting legacy. I hope that in the future I’ll see my baby girl playing football here in Brazil.”
The impact that a competition of this scale can have on future generations is immeasurable. Brazil, which has previously hosted several FIFA tournaments, including two men’s World Cups, knows exactly what this means.
The legendary midfielder Formiga, who played for Brazil at the very first Women’s World Cup, sees it as a great opportunity to transform the landscape of women’s football in Brazil and around the world once and for all.
“Hosting the Women’s World Cup is a dream come true, not only for the players who represent Brazil today, but for an entire generation,” she said.
“2027 will be about opening doors. This World Cup will show girls all over the world that they belong on the biggest stage.”
There will be eight host cities in total, spread across Brazil: Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Salvador, where Formiga was born. For the former international, the passion Brazilians have for football will be on display in every corner of the country.
“Brazilians are born with football in their veins. It’s great to see that women’s football is winning over more and more fans, which is making a real difference. Even though I’ve retired, the players competing today can go out there and believe we’ll have packed stadiums, just as we see in Brazilian league and state championship finals.”
Part of a historic trio alongside Cristiane and Formiga, Marta was unable to attend the brand launch in person but sent a video message to mark this important occasion for Brazil and for women’s football worldwide.
“Football is about love, and Brazil loves football,” Marta said. “Our country is ready to embrace women’s football with pride, emotion and belief. This tournament will create unforgettable stories and new heroines, inspiring girls and boys, women and men, and making our love for the game grow even stronger.”
Ronaldo and Cafu lend their support
Special guest Ronaldo Fenômeno hailed what he described as a “historic moment for women’s football”. The twice World Cup winner was invited on to the stage by FIFA President, Gianni Infantino.
“I’m very proud to be Brazilian and to witness this historic moment for women’s football, and for all of us to welcome another World Cup here; to show how we do things in Brazil and to welcome fans from around the world who will come to enjoy the tournament and discover our country,” commented Ronaldo.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to keep growing as a nation.”
A World Cup winner alongside Ronaldo in 1994 and 2002, Cafu highlighted the work Brazil has been doing in recent years to develop women’s football.For him, the FIFA Women’s World Cup is coming to the country at the perfect time.
“When you start promoting women’s football, you start to awaken people. You don’t have to wait for a World Cup to do that. We started laying the groundwork four or five years ago so that we’d be ready to host the tournament in 2027,” Cafu explained.
“Women’s football has been developing year after year, improving all the time. Hosting the World Cup in Brazil will be like putting the cherry on top of the cake, and the final push for us to break through on the global stage.”
