Fortaleza Esporte Clube to End Women's Football Program Despite Historic Success
Fortaleza Esporte Clube will discontinue its women's football program after a historic unbeaten season and multiple titles in 2025, raising concerns over investment and commitment to women's sports in Brazil.
- • Fortaleza's women's team had a historic unbeaten 2025 season with multiple titles and national team call-ups.
- • The women's program termination decision was due to budget cuts following the men's team relegation.
- • Investment in women's football in Brazil remains low, hindering stability and growth.
- • Global women's football gains contrast with local funding cuts; FIFA projects significant revenues for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.
Key details
Fortaleza Esporte Clube announced the termination of its women's football program for 2026, despite the team's extraordinary achievements in 2025. The women's side had an unbeaten season, securing promotion to Série A1, winning the Cearense Championship, and producing five players who were called up to Brazilian youth national teams. These accomplishments reflect the quality and promise within the club's women's football initiatives.
The decision to end the program was attributed to budget reallocations following the men's team's relegation, a move that has drawn criticism for lacking strategic vision and commitment to women's sports development. Analysts point out that investment in women's football in Brazil remains minimal, estimated at only 1-2% of club budgets, which contributes to financial instability.
This announcement is seen as a setback not only for the club but also for the broader growth of women's football in Brazil, especially in light of global trends. FIFA reported revenues of $1.9 billion from the 2023 Women's World Cup and projects $1 billion in revenue for the upcoming 2027 World Cup, which Brazil will host. The club's withdrawal jeopardizes years of progress and diminishes its credibility within the sporting community.
Authors Eduardo Machado and Lívia Osterne emphasize the importance of maintaining continuity in women's sports programs as part of institutional responsibility and the need to reevaluate the decision to ensure sustainable development.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
