Lula sanctions law to encourage the development of women’s football

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed, this Monday (28), the law that establishes national and permanent guidelines for the development of women’s football in Brazil. Law No. 15,522 brings a series of responsibilities for the State, for the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), and for the clubs.

“We want women to gain space in the entire labor market, in all political activity, in all professional activity and in all sports activity. There is no reason for women to be treated as inferior,” Lula said.

The law establishes that clubs that develop new athletes must also maintain a women’s team, and guarantees women’s football development organizations the same rights and benefits granted to male football development entities.

It will be up to the Ministry of Sports to encourage girls’ participation in football, strengthen youth competitions at all ages, and support the creation and maintenance of professional and youth teams.

The ministry will still need to coordinate, together with the clubs and the CBF, protocols for preventing and combating racism, discrimination, prejudice and violence against women. These protection measures cover athletes, female referees, coaches, female fans, managers, physical education professionals and other women who work in football.

The ministry should also encourage partnerships between schools, universities, and clubs in identifying and training new talents in women’s football. It should also support the training and employability of women in other aspects of the game, such as refereeing, technical management, sporting leadership, among other roles.

The new law also amends the Football Public Limited Company Law (SAF). Now, a club that wants to become a SAF must train female and male football players, or only female players.

“The change gives legal backing to the training of professional athletes by corporate structures dedicated exclusively to women’s football,” the government explains.

The Executive Branch sent the bill to the National Congress in September 2025. On September 2 of this year, the text completed its passage through the Legislature, being approved by the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, and was sent for presidential approval.

World Cup

The sanctioning of the law takes place in the context of the organization of the next Women’s World Cup, which will take place in Brazil in 2027. And in its text there is also provision for the preparation of a social, sporting and financial legacy plan that should be left by the tournament.

The 2027 Women’s World Cup will be held between June 24 and July 25, 2027 in Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and São Paulo.