Global soccer governing body FIFA revealed Thursday that one of the sport’s most legendary venues, Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium, will claim center stage at next year’s 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, playing host to both the tournament’s opening kickoff and its championship decider. As the first South American country ever selected to stage the Women’s World Cup, Brazil will itself feature in the opening match on June 24, with their opponent still to be confirmed when the tournament draw concludes. The 73,000-capacity Maracana, which already holds a decades-long place in World Cup history, will be the home ground for Brazil’s opening group stage fixture. Beyond Rio, the host nation’s group stage campaign will also include matches in two other major Brazilian cities: Sao Paulo and Brasilia. The 32-team tournament will be spread across eight host cities nationwide, with the final of the competition set to take place at Maracana on July 25. Maracana’s legacy in men’s World Cup history stretches back 77 years, when it hosted the decisive 1950 final match that saw Uruguay stun host Brazil 2-1 to claim the world title. More recently, the venue was the site of the 2014 men’s World Cup final, where Germany defeated Argentina led by Lionel Messi 1-0 in extra time to secure their fourth men’s World Cup crown. With this selection for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, Maracana joins an elite group of only two other stadiums that have hosted men’s and women’s World Cup finals: Sweden’s Rasunda Stadium and the Rose Bowl located in Pasadena, California. Entering the tournament, Spain holds the title of defending Women’s World Cup champions, having claimed the top spot at the 2023 edition held in Australia and New Zealand. Brazil, by contrast, has never lifted the Women’s World Cup trophy, and the 2027 tournament on home soil marks a historic chance for the South American side to claim their first title on the global women’s soccer stage.
Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium to host opening game and final of 2027 Women’s World Cup
