The 78,838-capacity Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro will host Brazil’s opening Group A match on 24 June and the Women’s World Cup final on 25 July. This is the first time the stadium has hosted a women’s World Cup event. It previously staged the 1950 and 2014 men’s World Cup finals and the 2016 Olympic football finals.
Fifa confirmed the schedule for all 64 matches in the 32-team tournament. The draw will follow more qualification playoffs. Brazil will also play at São Paulo’s Arena Itaquera and Brasília’s Estádio Nacional. Rio and São Paulo will host semi-finals, while Belo Horizonte will host a quarter-final.
Brazil’s former captain Aline Pellegrino called the event a ‘colourful, joyful celebration’. She said fans and players would create unforgettable moments. Fifa president Gianni Infantino praised Brazilian fans’ passion, saying it would inspire global viewership.
The Maracanã joins Råsunda Stadium and the Rose Bowl as venues to host both men’s and women’s World Cup finals. Spain won the 2023 title in Sydney. Coast cities like Porto Alegre and Recife will also host matches in Brazil’s 10th Women’s World Cup.
Source: The Guardian
