Zambia to be women's team's 25th foe in 2027 World Cup cycle

Zambia to be women's team's 25th foe in 2027 World Cup cycle

Zambia will be the 25th opponent of the Women’s National Team in the lead-up to the 2027 World CupCredits: Buda Mendes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Zambia will be the 25th different opponent of the Brazilian Women’s National Team in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup. This Tuesday (14), the Canarinha will look for its second win in the FIFA Series against the team ranked 66th in the FIFA Women’s World Ranking, at Arena Pantanal in Cuiabá, at 9:30 p.m. local time, with live coverage on SporTV.

The variety of national teams faced is part of the planning of the CBF Women’s National Teams Department, whose goal is to provide the best possible preparation for the coaching staff led by head coach Arthur Elias and the players for the World Cup in Brazil.

“Facing different national teams, with varied playing styles, is essential to our planning. This diversity of opponents raises the level of demand, brings important experiences for our athletes, and leaves us better prepared for the challenges we will face at the 2027 World Cup here in Brazil,” highlighted Women’s National Teams coordinator Cris Gambaré.

Geyse during Brazil’s 1-0 win over Zambia in the group stage of the Tokyo Olympic GamesCredits: Buda Mendes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

World Cup opponents

Of the 32 countries that will compete in the World Cup, seven have already qualified: Brazil, South Korea, Japan, China, North Korea, the Philippines, and Australia. Of these, the Canarinha has already faced Japan, South Korea, and Australia, with the Japanese, champions of the Asian Cup, being the most frequent opponents, with six matches.

Runners-up in the Asian Cup, Australia has faced Brazil on two occasions, while South Korea was beaten by the Seleção last Saturday (11) in the opening match of the FIFA Series.

Dudinha during a friendly against Japan in May 2025 at Neo Química Arena; the Seleção faced the Japanese in six matches during the lead-up to the 2027 World CupCredits: Staff Images/CBF

After Japan, Colombia comes next with five matches, including the 2025 Copa América final. The title against the Colombians was won on penalties, 5-4, after a 4-4 draw in regular time.

Next come the United States, with four friendlies against Brazil. In this cycle, for example, the Seleção earned its first-ever win over the Americans on home soil. It happened in San Jose, 2-1, with goals from Kerolin and Amanda Gutierres, on April 8 last year.

Canada, meanwhile, whom the Canarinha will face on Saturday (18) in the final round of the FIFA Series, was Brazil’s first opponent in the lead-up to the next World Cup and in the Arthur Elias era. In total, there have been three matches against the Canadians; the next meeting will be the fourth.

Brazil faced Colombia five times in the lead-up to the 2027 Women’s World Cup; one of those matches was the 2025 Copa América finalCredits: Lívia Villas Boas / CBF

See Brazil’s opponents in the lead-up to the 2027 World Cup:

6 matches - Japan;

5 matches - Colombia;

4 matches - United States;

3 matches - Canada;

2 matches - Mexico, Jamaica, Australia, Spain, France, Venezuela;

1 match - Nicaragua, Cuba, Panama, Argentina, Nigeria, England, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Costa Rica, South Korea, and Zambia.

*The statistic already includes this Tuesday’s match against Zambia and does not yet take Saturday’s match against Canada into account.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.