Rio de Janeiro Accelerates Women's Football Programs Ahead of 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup
Rio de Janeiro is expanding free football classes and youth competitions to develop women's football ahead of the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
- • Rio’s 'Capital do Futebol Feminino' project currently offers free football classes to over 200 girls aged 7-15, aiming for 500 by end-2026.
- • The initiative includes competitions like Copa Delas and Super Copa Zico to encourage youth participation in women’s football.
- • Former Brazil players such as Marisa Pires and Duda Luizelli provide mentorship and inspiration to participants.
- • The city aims to establish a lasting legacy in women’s football through sustained investment and community involvement.
Key details
With just one year remaining until the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, Rio de Janeiro is intensifying efforts to foster women's football through the municipal project 'Rio: Capital do Futebol Feminino.' Launched earlier this year, the initiative currently offers free football classes to over 200 girls aged 7 to 15 across ten Olympic Villages, aiming to expand participation to 500 by the end of 2026.
The project also includes competitive platforms such as the Copa Delas and the Super Copa Zico, promoting youth involvement and sporting excellence. The Copa Delas, established in 2023, has expanded to 16 teams for its third edition, while the inaugural Super Copa Zico brought together 16 teams over five stages. These competitions complement the educational aspect of the program and help build a robust infrastructure for women's football in the city.
Municipal sports secretary Bruno Ramos emphasized Rio's dedication: "Rio de Janeiro values and invests in sports... we are working to leave a concrete legacy, encouraging new talents." The project garners support from former national players, including Marisa Pires and Duda Luizelli, who provide mentorship and inspiration to the young participants. Girls involved express ambitious goals, envisioning future careers in professional football and representing Brazil internationally.
Open enrollment continues at the Olympic Villages with only basic documentation required, reflecting a commitment to accessibility and long-term growth in women's football ahead of the World Cup hosting duties.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Mentorship details
Sources report different mentors involved in the project
prefeitura.rio
"The project is guided by former Brazilian national team player Duda Luizelli and includes mentorship from five female football pioneers."
prefeitura.rio
"The project is supported by former Brazilian national team players, including Marisa Pires, who aims to inspire the next generation."
Why this matters: One source mentions guidance from five female football pioneers, while the other specifies support from former national team player Marisa Pires. This discrepancy affects understanding of the project's mentorship structure.