From one World Cup to the next: Dulce's new Brazil challenge | OneFootball

Dulce is one of the players called up for the U-20 World Cup who has already had experience at a World Cup. In 2025, the midfielder finished fourth in the international competition, but at the U-17 level. She stressed that this experience could help during this year’s tournament in Poland and also spoke about the team’s unity.

“I believe the experience I had at the 2025 U-17 World Cup can help me a lot. I went through many things that certainly prepared me better to be here today,” she said.

“I hope this World Cup is even better than the one I played in 2025, both individually and for the team. We are very united, very strong, and the way we are progressing, we will definitely go very far,” she added.

In addition, Dulce also played in the 2025 South American U-17 Championship, finishing in second place. The player has been called up to the Brazilian National Team many times, but for her, it is impossible to get used to wearing the Yellow Jersey.

“To be very honest, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it (wearing the national team shirt). Representing Brazil is a source of great pride and honor for me.”

Even with this track record, the midfielder still has two big dreams to fulfill: being called up to the senior national team and playing in a World Cup.

Dulce during the match between Brazil and Uruguay in the South American U-17 ChampionshipCredits: Nelson Terme/CBF

U-20 WORLD CUP

For Dulce, the three group-stage matches will be major clashes. The player highlighted that the opposing national teams are very difficult to face. Seeded at the top of Group B, Brazil will take on Tanzania, Canada, and England on September 5, 8, and 11, respectively. All three matches will be played at Bielsko-Biala Stadium, located in the city of the same name, at 10 a.m. (Brasília time).

The player emphasized that the fact that the Yellow Jersey arrived in Poland in advance is an important advantage. The team arrived on Tuesday (25) and, based in the city of Kraków, has already begun work on the field.

“It’s good for us to already be here so we can get used to the time zone and the weather better. The adaptation hasn’t been easy, there are five hours’ difference from Brazil, but we are progressing well so that we can be in our best condition for the opener.”

Dulce during training with the Brazil Women’s U-20 National Team in PolandCredits: Luciana Vermell/CBF

JOURNEY

The Corinthians midfielder started playing football at the age of 11 and trained with adult women. Originally from Rio Grande do Norte, the player has a twin sister, and the two have always been partners on the pitch.

They played in a futsal tournament for their school in the city where they lived, São Bento do Trairi, and after winning the state stage, they advanced to the national competition of the Brazilian School Games in 2022. It was at that competition that a Corinthians scout noticed them and made the offer for them to move to São Paulo, where they remain to this day.

Dulce said that at first, her mother was a little afraid of the two of them playing, but that today she is very happy with her daughters’ achievements. The midfielder could not hide her smile when talking about the pride her family feels in her accomplishments.

“My family was very happy when they found out I was coming to the U-20 World Cup. My mother called me crying, and my sister is very happy about everything I’m achieving,” she said.

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