Brazil’s bid to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup scored higher than its rival, a joint bid from Belgium, Netherlands and Germany, in a FIFA’s evaluation report released on Tuesday.

The world soccer governing body bid report came ahead of the vote at the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok on May 17, which will decide where the next Women’s World Cup will be held.

Last week, Mexico and the United States withdrew from the 2027 race to focus their efforts on hosting the 2031 tournament.

Based on the results of the technical evaluation, the Brazil bid received the highest overall average score of 4.0 out of 5, followed by the BNG bid with 3.7.

“The Bid Evaluation Task Force has determined that both bids qualify for consideration by the FIFA Council and the FIFA Congress, as both bids have exceeded the minimum requirements for hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in the technical evaluation,” FIFA said in a press release.

“Both bids can therefore be considered by the FIFA Council for submission to the FIFA Congress ahead of the final vote to select the host(s) of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027,” it added.

According to the report, Brazil’s bid offers good stadiums, having already hosted the 2021 World Cup. The country’s football association (CBF) and the Brazilian government have also shown their support for the bid and their commitment to hosting the event.

If successful, the bid would mark the first time South America has hosted the tournament.

-Reuters

The Nigeria U17 Women’s National Team, Flamingos, on Saturday thrashed Soccer Talent Academy 9-1 in Abuja, in their first preparatory match ahead of their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against Burkina Faso

The visitors drew the first blood when their striker took advantage of poor communication between goalkeeper Ijeoma Uzoma and defender Prisca Nwachukwu. However, their celebration did not last long as Harmony Chidi equalized a few minutes later to open the floodgate of goals for Flamingos. Two minutes later, Etim Edidiong put Flamingos ahead with a superb strike from outside the box.

The two goalscorers then found the back of the net again to put the home side in a comfortable lead at halftime. On resumption of the second half, the Flamingos continued the push for more goals and their efforts paid off when Yetunde Ayantosho added another one from close range. Aisha Animashaun then joined the party with a brace before Funke Arogundade and Ramota Kareem wrapped up the goals-galore with good tap-ins.

Speaking after the match, coach Bankole Olowookere pointed out the areas the technical crew must work on before jetting out of the country.

“Despite scoring a lot of goals today, we missed a lot of chances too and we can not afford to do that in a competitive match. We must utilize our chances to score goals against Burkina Faso so that the return leg at home will be a walk in the park for us.

“I have noticed one or two things that must be corrected before our next friendly match and the girls must understand the difference between training session and match situation.”

The Flamingos’ delegation will depart from Abuja on Wednesday, 8 May to Bamako where they will face the Burkinabe U17 women’s team on Saturday, 11 May.

Nigeria have appeared at every edition of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals bar one – the 2018 finals staged in Uruguay.

Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos will have the advantage of playing their away match against their Burkinabe counterparts in a 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture on a neutral ground, with the world body having insisted that the Burkinabes cannot play in Ouagadougou as their home venue is not up to standard.

The decision has seen the Burkinabes opt for the Malian capital, Bamako, where they will host the Flamingos on Saturday, 11^th May starting from 4pm Mali time.

The return leg will come up at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, 18^th May starting from 4.30pm Nigeria time.

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Suavis Iratunga from Burundi as referee for the match that will take place at the March 26 Stadium, with her compatriots Fides Bangurambona, Alida Iradukunda and Joselyne Nsabimana as assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively. Oumou Souleyman Kanefrom Mauritania will be commissioner while Aya Irene Ahoua from Cote d’Ivoire will be the referee assessor.

For the return leg in Abuja, Aline Umutoni from Rwanda will be the referee, with her compatriots Alice Umutesi and Sandrine Usenga as assistant 1 and assistant 2 respectively. Ethiopian Raya Sisay will be the fourth official., with Naa Odofoley Nortey as commissioner and Senegalese Fatou Gaye as referee assessor.

The Flamingos’ delegation to Bamako will depart from Abuja on Wednesday, 8^th May.