Aline Pellegrino has been named executive director of legacy and institutional relations for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, marking a key leadership appointment ahead of the tournament.
The former captain of the Brazil women’s national football team will also continue in her current role as manager of women’s competitions at the Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF), a position she has held since 2020.
Pellegrino emphasized the broader impact of the tournament, highlighting its potential to advance women’s football and leadership opportunities across Brazil, South America and globally. She described the 2027 edition as more than just a sporting event, but a platform to create lasting social and professional change.
During her playing career, Pellegrino helped Brazil reach the final of the 2007 Women’s World Cup and secured a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Off the pitch, she has held leadership roles within the Federação Paulista de Futebol and worked as a technical supervisor at Corinthians Audax. She is also part of the FIFA Legends initiative and serves as an ambassador for CONMEBOL.
The local FIFA office in Rio de Janeiro includes other senior executives such as Gal Barradas (revenue and marketing), Thiago Jannuzzi (operations) and Patricia Hespanha (administration). The organization currently employs 128 staff in Brazil, with women making up 70% of the workforce.
According to Jill Ellis, the tournament is expected to leave a lasting legacy by empowering women both on and off the field, creating leadership pathways and role models for future generations.