Former Brazilian team captain Aline Pellegrino was announced as executive director of legacy and institutional relations for FIFA’s local subsidiary in Brazil, consolidating the leadership team for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The appointment marks another step in the construction of a tournament that aims to go beyond the four lines and generate a lasting impact on football and society.
With a career marked by achievements – including runner-up in the world championship in 2007 and the Olympic silver medal in Athens 2004 – Pellegrino arrives at the position bringing not only sporting experience, but also experience in management and development of women’s football.
A tournament that seeks impact beyond sport
When commenting on his new role, Pellegrino highlighted the transformative role of sport in his life and reinforced the social dimension of the event.
“I am sure that the 2027 tournament will be more than just a major sporting event. It will be a decisive milestone in demonstrating appreciation and respect for women in football,” he said.
The director has had relevant experience with institutions such as the Brazilian Football Confederation, where she has worked since 2020, in addition to the São Paulo Football Federation and the Corinthians Audax club. At the same time, she is also part of the FIFA Legends program and acts as a CONMEBOL ambassador.
Featured female leadership
The executive structure of the 2027 World Cup draws attention to its representation: women occupy three of the four main positions and represent around 70% of the team at the FIFA subsidiary in Brazil.
Among the names of the board are:
- Gal Barradas (recipes and marketing)
- Patricia Hespanha (administration)
- Thiago Jannuzzi (operations)
For Jill Ellis, FIFA’s general director of football, this composition is strategic.
“This tournament will create models of behavior not only on the field, but also in our meeting rooms”, he highlighted.
Legacy and social transformation
The organization’s proposal goes beyond holding a major sporting event. The expectation is that the World Cup will leave a concrete legacy in strengthening women’s football and expanding opportunities for women in the sports market.
Executives involved in the project highlight that the experience acquired by participating professionals should impact their future trajectories, creating a more solid and influential network within the industry.
In this context, Aline Pellegrino’s presence symbolizes not only the appreciation of sports idols, but also the commitment to leaders capable of connecting football to broader social changes.
The 2027 Women’s World Cup, therefore, stands out as a milestone not only for Brazilian sport, but for the advancement of gender equality on and off the field.
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
