FIFA has officially announced the eight Brazilian host cities for the 2027 Women's World Cup.
On May 8, 2025 (local time), FIFA confirmed the tournament venues this week but has yet to announce where the opening match and the final will be held.
The matches will be played in eight major Brazilian cities: Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Recife, Salvador, and São Paulo. In particular, the inclusion of the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, known as the "temple of football," is raising expectations among football fans worldwide. The Maracanã Stadium has hosted numerous historic matches, including past FIFA World Cup finals, and is expected to play a significant role in the 2027 Women's World Cup as well.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the allure of host nation Brazil, saying, "From Samba to Frevo, from beautiful beaches to vibrant metropolises, the world will experience the energy, the color, and the warmth that only Brazil can offer." He added, "We will work closely with the selected host cities to create unforgettable moments in each stadium in 2027 and to ensure that this tournament has a broad and positive impact."
The selection of the host cities followed a rigorous evaluation process that began in August 2024. FIFA's expert team visited 12 candidate cities to thoroughly inspect overall aspects necessary for tournament operation, including stadium facilities, accommodation, and transportation infrastructure. In the future, FIFA experts will revisit the host cities to specifically discuss tournament operation plans.
Meanwhile, FIFA announced the results of the bidding deadline for the 2031 Women's World Cup, with the United States submitting a sole bid. It was also stated that the United Kingdom is likely to co-host the 2035 Women's World Cup. The English, Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish football associations are expected to jointly submit a letter of intent to bid. The FIFA Council disclosed the schedule for the bidding processes for the 2031 and 2035 Women's World Cups at its meeting this week and invited member associations of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to bid for the 2035 tournament.
Last month, FIFA President Gianni Infantino referred to the UK's joint bid for the 2035 Women's World Cup as a "valid single bid," suggesting that the UK is in a favorable position in the bidding competition. He also added that the United States might co-host the 2031 tournament with other countries from the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf).
These announcements are interpreted as reflecting the continued growth and international standing of women's football. The 2023 Women's World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, generated an economic impact of AUD 1.32 billion (approximately USD 865.7 million), according to the post-tournament report, demonstrating the economic value and social influence of the Women's World Cup.
Detailed Information on the Host Cities for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup:
The eight host cities announced this time represent diverse regions of Brazil, and each city is expected to showcase its unique culture and football passion to the world.
Rio de Janeiro: A representative tourist city of Brazil and known as the "temple of football," Rio de Janeiro boasts the world-famous Maracanã Stadium. With extensive experience hosting major international matches, including the 1950 and 2014 FIFA World Cup finals, its beautiful natural scenery and vibrant culture will provide unforgettable memories for teams and fans.
Belo Horizonte: Located in southeastern Brazil, Belo Horizonte is a city that boasts fervent football enthusiasm centered around the Mineirão Stadium. It was one of the main host cities for the 2014 World Cup and is expected to offer various attractions based on its rich history and culture.
Brasília: The capital of Brazil, Brasília, prides itself on its modern architecture and planned urban landscape. The Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha successfully hosted matches for the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics football tournament and will serve as an important venue for the 2027 Women's World Cup.
Fortaleza: A major city in northeastern Brazil, Fortaleza is famous for its beautiful beaches and vibrant culture. The Castelão Stadium has hosted matches for the 2014 World Cup and the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, and it will once again become a central stage for international sports through the Women's World Cup.
Porto Alegre: Located in the southernmost part of Brazil, Porto Alegre boasts a European-style atmosphere and rich natural environment. The Estádio Beira-Rio is the home stadium of the local football club SC Internacional, and Women's World Cup matches are expected to be held amidst the passionate support of the fans.
Recife: A historic city in northeastern Brazil, Recife boasts a rich cultural heritage and beautiful coastline. The Arena Pernambuco stadium was built for the 2014 World Cup and is equipped with modern facilities, ready to successfully host Women's World Cup matches.
Salvador: A representative city in northeastern Brazil, Salvador boasts a unique atmosphere strongly influenced by African culture. The Arena Fonte Nova stadium successfully hosted matches for the 2014 World Cup and the 2013 Confederations Cup and will welcome the Women's World Cup with diverse cultural events.
São Paulo: The largest city and economic center of Brazil, São Paulo, boasts modern urban infrastructure and various cultural facilities. The Corinthians Arena hosted the opening match of the 2014 World Cup, and important matches for the 2027 Women's World Cup are also expected to be held here.
Growth and Future of the Women's World Cup:
Since its first edition in China in 1991, the Women's World Cup has steadily grown and has now established itself as a prestigious global sporting event. The successful hosting of the 2023 Australia-New Zealand Women's World Cup once again confirmed the potential of women's football and the fervent interest of fans. With FIFA's policy of expanding the Women's World Cup, the 2027 Brazil Women's World Cup is expected to provide even more fans with excitement and enjoyment and significantly contribute to the development of women's football.
The bidding movements of the United States and the United Kingdom for the next World Cups indicate an even brighter future for women's football. In particular, the UK's active pursuit of co-hosting the 2035 Women's World Cup after withdrawing from the bidding competition for the 2022 men's World Cup carries significant meaning.
The 2027 Brazil Women's World Cup holds special significance as it will be the first Women's World Cup held in South America. This will be an important milestone in the global expansion of women's football and is expected to positively impact the development of women's football in Brazil and other South American countries.
FIFA and the Brazilian football community will work closely together for the successful hosting of the tournament, and football fans around the world are looking forward to the passionate atmosphere of women's football in Brazil in the summer of 2027. Interest in the future tournament preparations, including the announcement of the opening and final match host cities, is expected to increase further.
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