Brazil ready for Sub-20 women's opener v Ecuador | OneFootball

Brazil is ready to take the first step in pursuit of yet another continental title. On the morning of Wednesday (04), the Brazilian National Team wrapped up their preparations at the Ypané Women's Football High Performance Center ahead of their debut in the 2026 CONMEBOL Women's U-20 Championship, a competition in which they defend an absolute hegemony: ten titles in ten editions.

The National Team takes the field this Thursday (5th), at 6pm, against Ecuador, at the Luis Alfonso Giagni Stadium in Villa Elisa, for the second round of Group B. The match will be broadcast on Sportv. In addition to Ecuador, Brazil will face Argentina, Peru, and Bolivia in the group stage.

For coach Camilla Orlando, this moment marks a special chapter in her career. Announced in June 2025, Camilla has led the U-20 National Team in five friendlies, achieving three wins, one draw, and one loss. This will be her first official competition in charge of the team. "Expectations are high. I think, at this moment, it’s the most important competition of my career. Being able to participate in such a big championship and return to youth football, which is where I started and what I’m so passionate about," she highlighted.

According to the coach, preparation was planned down to the smallest details, focusing not only on the physical aspect but also on the tactical and emotional growth of the players. "It was very special to be at Granja, to feel the value of being part of the Brazilian National Team and being at our home. We prepared with careful load management and a progression in physical, tactical, and emotional aspects so that they arrive in the best possible shape," she explained.

Coach Camilla Orlando during a training session with the National Team at Granja ComaryCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

DEBUT DEMANDS ATTENTION

The first challenge in the competition promises to be balanced. Camilla emphasized the evolution of Ecuadorian football and anticipated a great clash right at the debut. "Ecuador is a team that has been developing a lot, very technical and with a lot of mobility in midfield. It's a team that widens the field and the game, so we studied a lot to understand how to maximize our aggressive marking style," she analyzed.

Despite Brazil's tradition, the coach of the Amarelinha avoids any sense of favoritism and reinforces the need for Brazil to evolve throughout the competition. "Debuting is always important, but we want to develop within the games. We hope to be at our best against a great opponent, which is Argentina, but we know that Bolivia and Peru have also been developing," she stated.

A MORE COMPETITIVE SOUTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Camilla Orlando also highlighted the growth of women's football on the continent, a scenario that has made competitions increasingly competitive. "South American football has been developing. We saw this in the senior team, in the Copa América, and also in the U-17, which was decided by fine margins. Other countries are evolving, not only internally but also with support from Conmebol," she assessed.

The staging of the first Women's World Cup in South America, scheduled for next year, is seen as another boost for the sport. "This impacts all the national teams. There is greater interest in developing players, and we even see player exchanges between countries. The trend is for it to become increasingly difficult, with teams getting closer to Brazil," she said.

Undefeated in the history of the tournament, Brazil begins another campaign surrounded by expectation and with the responsibility to maintain a hegemony that spans generations. Starting this Thursday (05), the ball will roll, and under the command of Camilla Orlando, the National Team will pursue their eleventh South American title and has the mission to show that tradition remains alive.

CONMEBOL Women's U-20 Championship

Brazil vs Ecuador (2nd round Group B)

Date: Thursday, February 5, 2026

Time: 6pm (Brasília time)

Venue: Estádio Luis Alfonso Giagni, in Villa Elisa (Paraguay)

Where to watch: Sportv

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