Brazil to call Moreton Bay home for World Cup

Published 1:31pm 12 December 2022

Words by Nick Crockford

Moreton Bay will go green, gold and blue next year as the home base for Brazilian in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023.

Brazil will be based at Caboolture Sports Football Club, in Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex for the duration of the tournament.

The 'Canarinhas' will train at the Burpengary centre, host community programs and an open training session for a lucky group of fans.

Mayor Peter Flannery said it meant locals would have two teams to cheer for - the Matildas and the ‘Canarinhas’.

“If I could dance, I’d be doing the samba right now because this is one of the most exciting sports announcements we’ve had in a year full of great sporting announcements for Moreton Bay,” he said.

Caboolture Sports FC grounds at Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex which will host Brazil.

Power house

"Brazil is synonymous with the ‘beautiful game’, so to have arguably the world’s biggest football powerhouse call Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex home for the tournament is an incredible honour.

“We’ve been in long discussions with FIFA about this and I’m thankful to both them and the Brazilian Football Confederation for choosing Moreton Bay.

“It proves to me that our community facilities are of a world-class standard, which is no accident."

Brazil will face fellow footballing heavyweights France in Brisbane on July 28 during the Women's World Cup.

“To have a team of their calibre here in Burpengary is completely out of this world and it’s one that the whole club is excited for,” Caboolture Sports FC President Paul Shorter said.

The clubhouse at Caboolture Sports FC's grounds at Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex.

Huge boost

“To have the FIFA Women’s World Cup on Australian soil is one thing but to have one of the best teams in the world here is something that will give our juniors something to aspire to.

“It’ll be a huge boost to our club so we can grow our membership and especially to grow the women’s game even further, which is a huge priority for us.”

Mayor Flannery said: “We’ve invested $103 million into local sports and recreation infrastructure over the past three budgets.

"This financial year we’ve got another $19.7 million worth of work underway, including the brand-new football centre of excellence at South Pine Sports Complex, which will become the home of the Brisbane Roar women’s team next year,” he said.