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Maracanã confirmed as venue for Women's World Cup opener and final

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FILE PHOTO - An aerial view of Brazil's iconic Maracanã. (is associated with: «Maracanã confirmed as venue for Women's World Cup opener and final») Fernando Souza/dpa

The iconic Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro will host the opening match and the final of the 2027 Women's World Cup after FIFA announced the match schedule on Thursday.

Eight host cities are being used for the 32-team tournament from June 24-July 25 and each will hold at least seven matches, including a minimum of one knock-out clash.

Brasília, Porto Alegre, Recife and Salvador will host matches in the last 16, while Belo Horizonte and Fortaleza will join Rio and São Paulo as quarter-final venues.

Hosts Brazil will begin their campaign with the opening match in Rio, with their other two group games at Arena Itaquera in São Paulo on Tuesday June 29, and at the Estádio Nacional in Brasília on Sunday July 4.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, under pressure to resign from fans and some confederations over his dropped plans to sell off part of World Cups to private investors, said in a statement: "I already have goosebumps thinking about the incredible passion, colour and energy that Brazilian fans will bring to the tournament as they welcome the world to eight vibrant host cities."

São Paulo will host a semi-final and the third-placed match, with Rio holding the other semi in the Maracanã.

Sarai Bareman, FIFA's chief women's football officer added: "As we developed the match schedule, we carefully balanced sporting fairness across all 32 teams, considering travel distances, recovery time between matches and the overall competition experience.

"At the same time, we wanted to ensure fans across Brazil could be part of the excitement and that each host city could play its role in this celebration of women's football. We are especially excited that the tournament will begin at the iconic Estádio do Maracanã, setting the stage for what promises to be an epic FIFA Women's World Cup."

Eighteen teams have already qualified.

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