Brazil Cup. Women
The Brazil Women's Cup is a premier national knockout competition organized by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). It brings together top women's clubs in a thrilling chase for glory, highlighting the surge in women's soccer popularity across Brazil and serving as a key stage beyond the Série A1 league.
History and foundation
Launched in 2012 amid the professionalization of women's football, the inaugural edition was claimed by Centro Olímpico. Santos FC dominated early with a 2013 win, but Corinthians emerged as a powerhouse, securing multiple titles. Palmeiras snatched victory in 2020, while Corinthians reclaimed it in 2023. A fun fact: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the cup was a lifeline for teams, maintaining momentum. The 2022 final between Corinthians and Grêmio drew record viewership, signaling women's soccer's commercial rise.
Tournament format
The format features multiple preliminary rounds starting from the 1/64 finals for lower-tier clubs, leading to single-elimination playoffs from the round of 16. Up to 64 teams compete, with early ties often single-leg and later stages potentially two-legged (home/away). The final is a one-off neutral-venue clash. Since 2023, CBF introduced VAR for knockout phases to boost fairness and excitement.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match hover at 2.8, spiking to over 4 in early rounds due to mismatches. Top scorers include Victoria (Corinthians, 15 goals in 2022) and Bika (Santos legend with 20+ cup goals). Standout players: Debinha (São José alum), Ariane (Grêmio), Deborah, and Andressa Alves, whose flair has propelled many to Brazil's national team.