Brazil Women’s Blind Football Team Kicks Off World Cup Campaign Against India in Kochi
Brazil’s women’s blind football team launched their 2025 World Cup campaign with a match against host nation India in Kochi, aiming to advance from Group A in this key international tournament.
- • Brazil’s women’s blind football team began their 2025 World Cup campaign on October 5 in Kochi against India.
- • The team is in Group A with India, England, and Poland in a tournament featuring eight teams.
- • Coach David Xavier emphasized enjoyment and courage as key to their performance.
- • The tournament runs from October 5 to 11, with the top two from each group advancing to the semifinals.
Key details
The Brazilian women's blind football team officially began their 2025 IBSA Blind Football World Cup journey in Kochi, India, with their opening match against the host nation on October 5, 2025. Scheduled for 10:30 AM Brasília time, the game was streamed live on the International Blind Sports Federation’s official YouTube channel.
Under the guidance of coach David Xavier, appointed earlier this year, the team arrived in Kochi on October 2 after rigorous training camps and preparations in Brazil. Xavier highlighted the importance of playing with courage and joy, stating, "Now is the time! Everything we trained for was for this moment. It doesn't matter if it's the first time; the important thing is for them to enjoy it responsibly."
The squad consists of ten athletes, including two goalkeepers, Bruna and Lígia, and eight field players: Geisa, Andreza, Rafaela, Eri, Sarah, Beatriz, Tamiris, and Eliane. Since arriving, the team has undergone training sessions at the United Sports Centre to acclimate to Kochi’s high humidity and temperatures averaging around 30 degrees Celsius.
The 2025 World Cup runs from October 5 to 11 with eight teams divided into two groups. Brazil competes in Group A alongside India, England, and Poland, while Group B features defending champion Argentina, Japan, Canada, and Turkey. The tournament format advances the top two teams from each group to the semifinals, with additional matches determining fifth to eighth places.
Supported by the Brazilian Ministry of Sports and sponsored by Loterias Caixa, this event marks the second women’s blind football World Cup organized by IBSA, following the inaugural tournament in Birmingham in 2023 where Argentina claimed the title. Brazil’s debut match against India marks a key moment in their campaign to contend for the trophy on this international stage.