Fortaleza is in the conversation
Em uma manhã de abril em Fortaleza, a ministra do Esporte Ana Moser confirmou que a cidade nordestina está entre as candidatas a sediar jogos da Copa do Mundo Feminina de 2027 — torneio que o Brasil disputa o direito de receber. A candidatura brasileira, formalizada junto à FIFA em meados de abril com o respaldo da Conmebol, carrega um peso histórico singular: nenhum país sul-americano jamais sediou uma Copa do Mundo feminina. A decisão final, prevista para maio de 2024, colocará à prova não apenas a infraestrutura herdada de 2014, mas o compromisso do continente com o futuro do futebol feminino.
- O Brasil entrou oficialmente na disputa pela sede da Copa Feminina de 2027, com a CBF submetendo sua candidatura à FIFA em abril de 2023 — e o tempo corre até a decisão em maio de 2024.
- Fortaleza, que já recebeu o mundo em 2014, agora se coloca novamente na vitrine global, desta vez com o Castelão como símbolo de um legado que pode ser reativado.
- A Conmebol e associações vizinhas como o Paraguai se uniram ao coro de apoio, transformando a candidatura brasileira em uma causa continental.
- A FIFA avaliará não só os estádios, mas toda a teia de segurança, transporte, hospedagem e o compromisso real com o desenvolvimento do futebol feminino.
- Se o Brasil for escolhido, quebrará um tabu histórico: pela primeira vez, a América do Sul seria anfitriã de uma Copa do Mundo feminina.
A ministra do Esporte Ana Moser estava em Fortaleza para o lançamento da Taça das Favelas de 2023 quando confirmou o que muitos esperavam ouvir: a cidade está na lista de candidatas a receber jogos da Copa do Mundo Feminina de 2027, caso o Brasil seja escolhido como sede do torneio. Segundo ela, os 12 estádios construídos para a Copa de 2014 são todos elegíveis, embora o número final de sedes deva ser bem menor. "Fortaleza está na conversa", disse a ministra.
A candidatura brasileira foi formalizada pela CBF em meados de abril, com o presidente Ednaldo Rodrigues submetendo os documentos à FIFA logo após a abertura do processo de seleção. O movimento ganhou força com o apoio explícito da Conmebol e de federações vizinhas, consolidando a candidatura como um projeto sul-americano.
O que está em jogo vai além de um torneio. Nenhum país da América do Sul jamais sediou uma Copa do Mundo feminina, e o Brasil tem a chance de mudar isso. A estratégia é inteligente: em vez de construir do zero, o país aposta na infraestrutura já existente — o Castelão em Fortaleza é um exemplo direto dessa lógica. A FIFA, porém, avaliará muito mais do que concreto e gramado: segurança, logística, experiência do torcedor e compromisso com o futebol feminino entrarão na balança.
Para Fortaleza, uma eventual sede em 2027 seria mais do que espetáculo esportivo. Seria a confirmação de que a cidade e o Nordeste têm lugar garantido no mapa do futebol mundial — e que o legado de 2014 ainda tem muito a oferecer.
Ana Moser, Brazil's sports minister, stood in Fortaleza on a Thursday morning in late April and delivered news that had been quietly building momentum: the northeastern city is in the running to host matches for the 2027 Women's World Cup, assuming Brazil wins its bid to be the tournament's host nation.
Moser was in Fortaleza for the launch of the 2023 Taça das Favelas, a grassroots football competition, when she fielded a question about whether the city might land a spot among the World Cup venues. Her answer was direct. The dozen stadiums built for the 2014 men's World Cup—Fortaleza among them—are all candidates to host women's matches in 2027. "There are at least 12 venues that were constructed for the 2014 World Cup that are eligible to be venues for this one," she said. "Probably there will be far fewer than 12, but Fortaleza is in the conversation."
The path to this moment began just two weeks earlier, when Brazil's football confederation formally submitted its candidacy to FIFA. The CBF, led by president Ednaldo Rodrigues, sent the official paperwork in mid-April, entering the race at a moment when FIFA had just opened the bidding process for 2027. The timing mattered. South American football's governing body, CONMEBOL, threw its weight behind Brazil's bid, with its president Alejandro Domínguez publicly endorsing the country as host. Paraguay's football association president also voiced support.
What makes this bid historically significant is simple: no South American nation has ever hosted a Women's World Cup. If Brazil is selected, it would be a first for the continent. The decision will come down on May 17, 2024, when FIFA announces its choice during a congress of the sport's global governing body.
Fortaleza's potential inclusion reflects a deliberate strategy. Rather than building new stadiums from scratch, Brazil is leveraging infrastructure already in place—the legacy of 2014. The Castelão stadium in Fortaleza, which hosted matches a decade ago, sits ready. The economics are cleaner, the timeline more realistic. But the selection process will be competitive. FIFA will weigh not just the venues themselves but the entire ecosystem: security, transportation, accommodation, fan experience, and the federation's commitment to growing women's football.
For Fortaleza, hosting World Cup matches would represent something beyond the sporting spectacle. It would signal that the city, and the region, matter in global football's future. The 2014 tournament brought international attention and infrastructure investment. A 2027 women's tournament could do the same, with the added weight of being a continental first.
Citas Notables
There are at least 12 venues that were constructed for the 2014 World Cup that are eligible to be venues for this one. Probably there will be far fewer than 12, but Fortaleza is in the conversation.— Ana Moser, Brazil's sports minister
La Conversación del Hearth Otra perspectiva de la historia
Why does it matter that Fortaleza is being considered now, rather than waiting for some future tournament?
Because Brazil is making a bid right now, and the infrastructure already exists. They're not asking Fortaleza to build a new stadium—they're saying the one from 2014 is ready. That changes the calculus entirely.
Has South America hosted a women's World Cup before?
Never. That's the whole story. If Brazil wins this bid, it breaks a pattern that's lasted decades. South America has hosted the men's tournament multiple times, but the women's game has been held elsewhere.
What happens if Brazil doesn't get selected as host?
Then Fortaleza doesn't host in 2027. The bid is all-or-nothing at the national level. FIFA will choose one country, and if it's not Brazil, the conversation ends.
When will we actually know?
May 17, 2024. That's when FIFA announces the decision. Between now and then, Brazil will be making its case to the international federation.
Does the minister's comment suggest Brazil has a strong chance?
It suggests confidence, at least. She's already talking about which cities might host, which implies the federation believes the bid is viable. But that's political positioning as much as it is prediction.