The young women are chasing dreams amidst challenges to play and perform at the upcoming Women’s World Cup.
The Women’s World Cup is a tournament brimming with excitement, pride, and global camaraderie. Many countries vie for qualification based on their performance and statistics, and the women participating in this tournament inspire younger generations. This inspiration fuels the aspirations of young girls who dream of playing in the World Cup someday.
In a historic decision, FIFA members recently voted for Brazil to be the first Latin American country to host the tournament in 2027. The Maracanã Stadium, an iconic venue, will host the event. However, this stadium is twenty minutes from Complexo do Alemão, one of Rio de Janeiro’s most impoverished and violent favelas.
Despite these challenges, young girls in Rio de Janeiro are determined to join the Brazil roster and participate in the World Cup. For instance, Kaylane Alves dos Santos, a fifteen-year-old girl from Complexo do Alemão, trains tirelessly to become a part of the national team and realize her dream of playing in the World Cup.
Alves is constantly finding opportunities to train and get more touches on the ball. However, the violent area forces her to put her goals on hold frequently. Alves explains that she often has to skip training because of shootings and police warnings. Despite these challenges, a nonprofit group led by Diogo Chaves and Webert Machado has provided a safer training environment for young girls. Their overall goal is to help these girls become honest and successful individuals in any profession they choose, whether that be a player in the Women’s World Cup or as a doctor.
The young girls in Rio de Janeiro strive to be the best they can be and hope to make an appearance in the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The legacy of the Women’s World Cup extends beyond the games, influencing societal change and contributing to the ongoing fight for gender equality in sports. With a great deal of hope and hard work, Rio de Janeiro aims to be an adequate host for the World Cup and provide the Brazil team with a talented roster of its young girls.
