Brazil look to youth as they start 2027 World Cup buildup with Lionesses fixture

Today’s newsletter looks at the next World Cup hosts as they prepare to take on England and Italy with a squad with an average age of 24

The road to the 2027 World Cup is long and winding for all teams hoping to qualify – apart from the hosts, Brazil. Having won their ninth Copa América Femenina in the summer, their next major tournament will be the World Cup in 20 months.

That may seem like a long time but the head coach, Arthur Elias, is aware that every minute of preparation counts, starting with their friendlies against England in Manchester on Saturday and Italy in Parma on Tuesday.