Representatives from FIFA, the Federal Government, the Government of Minas Gerais, and the Belo Horizonte City Hall held their first official alignment meeting on Monday (11) to prepare for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The session marked the beginning of coordination among different government levels to get Belo Horizonte ready as one of the tournament’s host cities. Belo Horizonte was selected among eight cities that will host matches, along with Brasília, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Salvador.
The 10th edition of the Women’s World Cup will take place from June 24 to July 25, 2027, and for the first time, a Latin American country will serve as host.
During the meeting, municipal representatives emphasized the continuity of planning that began under former Mayor Fuad Noman. According to Chyara Sales Pereira, deputy municipal secretary of Economic Development, Labor, and International Relations, the current administration will follow through on commitments to ensure the city meets FIFA and Ministry of Sports requirements.
“This moment is a symbolic milestone that seals the dialogue between the municipality, the state, and the federal government. We presented BH’s bid as a host city during Mayor Fuad’s administration, and now Mayor Álvaro Damião’s team takes on this challenge,” Pereira said.
Juliana Picoli Agatte, extraordinary secretary for the Women’s World Cup, highlighted the economic and tourism impact of the tournament for host cities. She noted that the event drives various economic sectors, boosts international visibility, and strengthens tourism, services, and urban infrastructure.
“We are about 400 days away from the opening of the Women’s World Cup. It will be the first time a Latin American country hosts the biggest football competition on the planet. Football has the potential to boost the economic development of host cities and moves an impressive ecosystem involving tourism and local economies,” Agatte stated.
Jacqueline Barros, FIFA’s head of Government Relations with host cities, said the 2027 edition will feature record investment from the organization, estimated at US$800 million — twice the amount spent on the last Women’s Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023. According to her, the funding reinforces expectations that Brazil will organize one of the largest editions in tournament history.
“The Women’s Cup is the third largest sporting event in the world. When we presented Brazil’s bid, we showed that we could deliver an excellent tournament. The Women’s Cup in Brazil will have a record FIFA investment of US$800 million, double what was invested in the last edition in Australia and New Zealand,” Barros declared.
After the meeting, FIFA representatives, Belo Horizonte City Hall, and state and federal officials conducted a technical inspection of Mineirão stadium, which will host at least five matches of the competition.
