FIFA has released the full fixture list for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, confirming that Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracanã stadium will host both the tournament opening match and the final. The 78,838-capacity arena — which held the men’s World Cup finals in 1950 and 2014 and staged Olympic football in 2016 — will stage Brazil’s Group A game on 24 June and the showpiece final on 25 July.
Eight cities, 64 matches and a return to Brazil
The schedule covers all 64 matches of the competition, which returns to Brazil and features 32 teams. FIFA has designated eight stadiums across the country as hosts, all of which were used during the 2014 men’s World Cup. Cities and venues named in the schedule include:
- Rio de Janeiro — Maracanã (opening match and final)
- São Paulo — Arena Itaquera (Brazil group matches and the highest number of games: 10)
- Brasília — Estádio Nacional
- Belo Horizonte — selected to host a quarter-final
- Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Recife
Rio and São Paulo will host the semi-finals, with São Paulo also staging the third-place play-off. The allocation gives Brazil multiple high-profile fixtures across its largest cities and returns the women’s tournament to a nation with a deep footballing culture and large stadia.
Competitive and symbolic implications
All eight venues previously hosted matches at the 2014 men’s World Cup, a logistical advantage that should ease some organisational pressures. São Paulo’s Arena Itaquera will be the busiest site, with 10 matches scheduled — a higher tally than any other host city.
Belo Horizonte will host one of the quarter-finals, the match to be contested by the winners of Group A should they progress that far. That decision will revive memories of Brazil’s dramatic 7-1 loss to Germany in the 2014 men’s semi-final, which took place at the same city’s stadium.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino framed the tournament as both a sporting milestone and a cultural celebration. He emphasised the energy expected from Brazilian supporters while signalling FIFA’s anticipation for the global event:
“We can’t wait to witness a new chapter of women’s football history unfold when the world’s best players, coaches, fans and local communities take centre stage in Brazil next year,” FIFA’s president said. “I already have goosebumps thinking about the incredible passion, colour and energy that Brazilian fans will bring to the tournament.”
Context from the recent expansion
The 2027 edition is the 10th official Women’s World Cup and the second staged with a 32-team format following the expansion used in Australia and New Zealand in 2023. Spain are the current holders, having won their first title in Sydney in 2023 by beating England in the final.
The schedule announcement also sets the stage for a draw later this year; FIFA has stated that the draw will take place after more qualification playoffs conclude. Group fixtures already include Brazil in Group A, with the national team’s first game at the Maracanã set for 24 June.
| Key dates | Match |
|---|---|
| 24 June | Brazil Group A match, Maracanã (opening day) |
| 25 July | Tournament final, Maracanã |
With the fixtures now public, organisers, broadcasters, clubs and national associations can firm up preparations. For fans and federations, the distribution of matches across Brazil’s major urban centres will influence travel plans, accommodation demand and ticketing priorities. The choice to concentrate both the opening game and final in Rio underscores the enduring symbolic and practical appeal of the Maracanã as a stage for major football occasions.
Further details, including match kick-off times and the final draw composition, will be confirmed by FIFA as qualification concludes and additional logistical decisions are made.
