President Lula Enacts Landmark Law to Propel Women’s Football in Brazil Ahead of 2027 World Cup

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has signed into law a transformative bill aimed at advancing the professionalization and social recognition of women's football in Brazil. This legislation comes just one year before Brazil hosts the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, underscoring a national commitment to elevate the sport both during and beyond the tournament.

The new law establishes a comprehensive social, sports, and financial legacy plan designed to ensure investments linked to the World Cup create sustainable benefits for women's football. Among its key mandates, it prioritizes women’s football within Brazil’s national sports policy and introduces measures that encourage salary equity, though it stops short of requiring equal pay. Clubs are now legally obliged to provide equal training conditions for male and female athletes, and sports organizations must maintain women’s teams to comply.

To support the sport's growth and professionalism, the legislation limits the registration of amateur players in the national first division to four per team, progressively transitioning to an entirely professional player base. It also incentivizes female representation in management, coaching, and refereeing positions, helping to bridge gender gaps across the sport.

In a significant stride toward social progress, the law incorporates protections for pregnancy and maternity for female athletes and requires protocols to combat discrimination, intolerance, and violence against women in sports environments. Additionally, changes to regulations for Sociedades Anônimas do Futebol (SAFs) now permit these organizations to focus on fostering female professional athletes.

Clubs have a 180-day period, potentially extendable, to align with the new regulations, allowing a flexible but clear timeline for compliance.

This legislative effort reflects Brazil’s strategic vision to build a lasting legacy from the 2027 Women’s World Cup and fundamentally strengthen women's football domestically. President Lula’s signing of the law is a pivotal step toward gender inclusivity and the professional development of women in Brazilian sports, signaling a historic moment for futebol feminino.

Following the signing, President Lula is expected to visit Belém, Pará, further demonstrating the government’s commitment to social and regional development concurrent with the sports advances.