Survey shows growing support for the women's national team in Brazil | OneFootball

The Brazil Women’s National Team has expanded its fan base over the last decade. According to a CBF survey conducted with Instituto Nexus, 41% of Brazilians have started following the team’s matches more closely during this period.

The growth comes amid greater exposure for the sport. In 2019, for example, Globo broadcast the Women’s World Cup for the first time and began airing Brazil Women’s National Team friendlies on free-to-air TV.

Greater exposure, however, still coexists with a scenario of low viewing frequency. More than half of those surveyed said they do not follow the Brazil Women’s National Team’s matches.

Profile of the audience that increased its following

In addition, the survey points to differences among groups. Among Brazilians earning more than five minimum wages, the rate reaches 51%, the same percentage recorded in the North and Central-West regions.

Men account for 48% of this group, while among respondents with higher education the rate also reaches 48%. Among those over 60 years old, 45% said they have increased how often they follow the team.

At the other end, for example, the survey identified groups in which following frequency declined. Among Brazilians earning up to one minimum wage, the percentage is 36%.

The same rate appears among Black people and among illiterate respondents or those who can only read and write. Among residents of the Northeast, it is 35%. The percentage falls to 34% among respondents with a high school education and also among women.

Women’s football still demands greater recognition

The survey also measured Brazilians’ perception of the space occupied by women’s football. For 59% of respondents, the sport still does not receive the support and recognition it should have.

Of this total, 32% acknowledge that recognition has increased, but believe the progress has still not been enough. Another 27% believe that women’s football remains far from the level of support considered adequate.

The perception of insufficient support reaches 68% among people with higher education and income above five minimum wages. The rate is 63% among white and mixed-race people and residents of the South, while 61% of respondents aged 25 to 40 share the same view.

Exposure will be important before the 2027 World Cup

The situation becomes more relevant because Brazil will host the next Women’s World Cup in 2027. The competition represents an opportunity to increase the public’s contact with the national team and with women’s football during a period of greater exposure for the sport.

Free-to-air television remains one of the main ways to reach new audiences. According to data released by the CBF, the quarterfinals of the 2026 Brasileirão Feminino reached 29.5 million unique viewers on TV Globo.

The federation also reported that the number of broadcasters airing its women’s competitions doubled in two years, rising from four to eight. The move increases the availability of matches and creates new possibilities for connecting with fans.

The survey heard 2,006 people

The Instituto Nexus survey was conducted between August 15 and 24 and interviewed 2,006 Brazilians aged 16 or older, distributed across the 27 states and the Federal District. The margin of error is two percentage points, plus or minus, with a 95% confidence level.

The numbers show a divided scenario: 41% of Brazilians have started following the women’s national team more, but more than half still do not watch its matches. The 2027 World Cup in Brazil could increase exposure for both the team and the sport.

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