Brazil Triumphs in Debut at 2025 Women's Blind Football World Cup
Brazil wins its debut match against India 1-0 at the 2025 Women's Blind Football World Cup in Kochi, India, with Eliane Gonçalves scoring the decisive goal.
- • Brazil won 1-0 against India in their debut match at the 2025 Women's Blind Football World Cup.
- • Eliane Gonçalves scored the winning goal six minutes into the second half.
- • The tournament features 12 teams, with Brazil facing England and Poland next.
- • Women's blind football is not yet part of the Paralympic Games, unlike the men's category where Brazil dominates.
Key details
Brazil marked an impressive debut at the 2025 Women's Blind Football World Cup held in Kochi, India, by securing a 1-0 victory over host nation India in their opening match on November 5. The winning goal was scored by seasoned player Eliane Gonçalves six minutes into the second half, igniting celebrations despite a brief collision with Indian goalkeeper Harshada Sandeep. This match represents Brazil's first-ever participation in the women's edition of blind football's global tournament.
The team, known as the dominant force in men's blind football with five world titles and a Paralympic presence since 2004, arrived in India after a grueling 20-hour journey from São Paulo, holding their first training session on November 3. The competition features 12 national teams, including Argentina and Poland, and Brazil's next games are scheduled against England on November 7 and Poland on November 8. The two leading teams from the group will advance to the semifinals set for November 10, with the final slated for November 11.
Blind football matches consist of two 20-minute halves, with teams comprising five players—four visually impaired and one sighted goalkeeper. The 2025 tournament marks the second edition of the Women's Blind Football World Cup, following the inaugural event in Birmingham, England in 2023, where Argentina took the championship. Notably, women's blind football is yet to be included in the Paralympic Games program, contrasting with the men's category, where Brazil has consistently excelled. Brazil's recent achievement in reaching the semifinals and securing third place in the Paris Paralympics underscores their strength in the sport.
Eliane Gonçalves, at 39, highlighted her experience and skill by scoring the decisive goal early in the second half and bringing home a significant win for Brazil's debut women's team on the international blind football stage.