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The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup Kicks Off with 16 Teams and Major Firsts
The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup is set to kick off on August 22 in England, marking a historic moment for the sport. With 16 nations competing across four pools, this edition will be the biggest yet. The final is scheduled for September 27 at the iconic Twickenham Stadium, cementing the tournament’s status as a major international event.
This year’s World Cup marks the first time the competition will feature 16 teams, expanding from 12 in previous years. New Zealand enters as defending champions, following their thrilling victory over England in 2021. England, Canada, France, and New Zealand were seeded at the top of their groups, and the pools are as follows:
Pool A: England, Australia, USA, Samoa
Pool B: Canada, Scotland, Wales, Fiji
Pool C: New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, Spain
Pool D: France, Italy, South Africa, Brazil
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The road to qualification included regional tournaments and the WXV series. Brazil made history by securing its first-ever qualification for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, defeating Colombia in the South American qualifier. As the only Latin American nation in the competition, their presence is especially meaningful.
Meet Brazil’s Team: The Trailblazing Yaras
Brazil’s roster includes several seasoned Olympians and rising stars ready to make a statement. Key players include Luiza Campos and Raquel Kochhann, both three-time Olympians, with Kochhann recently serving as Brazil’s flag bearer at the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony.
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The full 32-woman squad for Brazil’s historic debut includes:
Props: Franciele Barros (Sporting, Portugal), Giovana Mamede (Jacareí), Pamela Soares (Charrua), Samara Vergara (Pasteur), Taís Prioste (Bobigny, France)
Hookers: Isabela Gomes Saccomanno (São José), Júlia Leni Lima (Curitiba), Natália Jonck (Brothers, Australia)
Second-Row: Ana Carolina Santana (Melina), Dayana Dakar (Niterói), Eshyllen Coimbra (El-Shaddai, captain)
Back-Row: Camilla Ísis Carvalho (El-Shaddai), Íris Coluna (Poli), Larissa Alves (Curitiba), Larissa Henwood Lima (Counties Manukau, NZ / Kamaishi, Japan), Letícia Medeiros (Jacareí / Bond University, Australia), Letícia Silva (Melina), Mercelle Souza (El-Shaddai)
Scrum-Halves: Aline Mayumi (Pasteur), Leila Silva (Leoas de Paraisópolis), Luiza Campos (Charrua)
Fly-Halves: Fernanda Tenório (El-Shaddai), Maria Gabriel Graf (Brothers, Australia), Raquel Kochhann (Charrua)
Centers: Carolyne Katrine Pereira (Melina), Edna Santini (São José / São Miguel, Portugal), Giovanna Barth (Maringá), Mariana Nicolau (São José), Marina Fioravanti (Poli)
Back-Three: Bianca Silva (Leoas de Paraisópolis), Isadora Lopes (Melina), Yasmim Soares (Melina)
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Brazil, known as “As Yaras,” will face South Africa on August 24 in Northampton. They then meet France in Exeter before wrapping up pool play against Italy on September 7, Brazil’s Independence Day.
As the first South American nation to qualify for the Women’s Rugby World Cup, Brazil’s journey is already historic. With powerful Latina athletes leading the way, all eyes will be on their performance in England this August.
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