The countdown to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup has already begun, and Brazil is emerging as the grand stage for a new celebration of women’s soccer. FIFA has released the official schedule for the tournament, which will feature 64 matches spread across eight host cities.
The tournament will kick off on Thursday, June 24, 2027, at none other than the historic Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. As the host nation, the Brazilian national team will launch its World Cup campaign in front of its home fans.
After that highly anticipated debut, Brazil will play its next group-stage matches at the Arena Itaquera in São Paulo on June 29 and at the National Stadium in Brasília on July 4.
8 host cities across Brazil
And here’s where it gets interesting: virtually the entire country will become one giant World Cup stadium. Each of the eight host cities will host at least seven matches and will also have the opportunity to host knockout-round matches.
Brasília, Porto Alegre, Recife, and Salvador will host matches through the round of 16, while Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo will host quarterfinal matches.
But if there’s one city that will be in the spotlight, it’s Rio de Janeiro. The Maracanã will not only host Brazil’s opening match but also one of the semifinals and the World Cup final. São Paulo won’t be left behind either. The city will host a semifinal and the third-place match, making it another major gathering spot for fans.
A tournament catered to the players and fans
FIFA explained that the schedule was designed with factors such as recovery time and travel distances between venues in mind, aiming to provide balanced conditions for all 32 participating teams.
“We are excited to experience a new chapter in the history of women’s soccer,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who highlighted the passion that Brazil can bring to a competition of this magnitude.
For Sarai Bareman, director of FIFA’s Women’s Football Division, it was also important to ensure that fans across Brazil could feel like they were part of the tournament. In addition, the World Cup will feature a FIFA Fan Festival, with activities that will take the soccer atmosphere beyond the stadiums.
The Maracanã, incidentally, will write a new chapter in history: it will be only the third stadium to host both a men’s and a women’s World Cup final, following Sweden’s Råsunda and the Rose Bowl in the United States.
With the schedule now available, fans can start planning their trips and deciding which matches they want to experience in Brazil. FIFA has also opened registration for those interested in purchasing tickets, while those who wish to be part of the organization can sign up as volunteers.
The final draw, scheduled for later this year, will be the next major step before Brazil welcomes the world in 2027. And all signs point to this being a historic tournament.
