On the verge of writing a new chapter in Brazilian rugby history, the Yaras squad of 32 has been selected for its tournament debut at Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.
The squad selection was announced at an event held at Pacaembu Stadium in São Paulo ahead of the tournament, which begins on 22 August when host nation England take on USA in Sunderland.
At the core of Brazil's squad are athletes who compete in both 15s and sevens. Among the 32 players selected by head coach Emiliano Caffera, 11 have competed in at least one Olympic Games, including Luiza Campos and Raquel Kochhann, both three-time Olympians. Kochhann was also the flag bearer for Team Brazil at Paris 2024.
"It’s hard to put into words what this call-up and World Cup participation mean. Everything we’ve achieved proves that Brazilian rugby deserves more attention. It will be a huge challenge for us. Fifteens rugby is very different from sevens, and it’s a much more inclusive format. This blend is what makes this squad so special," said Kochhann.
The team has held regular training camps and friendly matches since the start of the year. Since May, they have trained with a group of 46, giving Caffera the chance to test combinations before finalising his squad.
"These 32 players are the best athletes we have in Brazil right now, and I’m confident that this group, beyond doing well at the World Cup, will contribute greatly to the development of rugby in the coming years. This World Cup is another step toward growing the sport in our country," said the Uruguayan coach, who has led the Brazilian national team since October 2023.
The Yaras will depart for England on 14 August and kick off their maiden Rugby World Cup against South Africa in Northampton on 24 August. A week later, they continue their Pool D campaign against France in Exeter, before their third pool match against Italy on 7 September.
Historic milestone
For their tournament debut, Brazil will wear a new and exclusive playing kit developed by the sportswear brand Oneallsports and designed by indigenous artist Auá Mendes incorporating symbols from Tupi-Guarani cosmology to represent the strength and ancestry of the players.
"Brazil’s participation in this World Cup is a historic milestone for the sport in our country and the culmination of work that has been underway for many years. We’ve developed a project that ranges from grassroots development to high performance, which allowed us to build a team capable of qualifying for the world’s biggest rugby tournament,” said Alexandre Chiofetti, CEO of Brasil Rugby.
Brazil squad
Aline Mayumi – Pasteur (SP)
Ana Carolina Santana – Melina (MT)
Bianca Silva – Leoas de Paraisópolis (SP) & Nagato Blue Angels (Japan)
Camilla Ísis – El-Shaddai (RJ)
Carolyne Pereira – Melina (MT) & Grua (AM)
Dayana Dakar – Niterói (RJ)
Edna Santini – São José (SP) & São Miguel (Portugal)
Eshyllen Coimbra – El-Shaddai (RJ)
Fernanda Tenório – El-Shaddai (RJ)
Franciele Barros – Sporting (Portugal)
Giovana Mamede – Jacareí (SP)
Giovanna Barth – Maringá (PR)
Íris Coluna – Poli (SP)
Isabela Saccomanno – São José (SP)
Isadora Lopes – Melina (MT)
Julia Leni – Curitiba (PR)
Larissa Carvalho – Curitiba (PR)
Larissa Henwood – Counties Manukau (New Zealand)
Leila Silva – Leoas de Paraisópolis (SP)
Letícia Medeiros – Jacareí (SP) & Bond University (Australia)
Letícia Silva – Melina (MT)
Luiza Campos – Charrua (RS)
Marcelle Souza – El-Shaddai (RJ)
Maria Gabriela Graf – Desterro (SC) & Brothers (Australia)
Mariana Nicolau – São José (SP)
Marina Fioravanti – Poli (SP)
Natalia Jonck – Brothers (Australia)
Pâmela Santos – Charrua (RS)
Raquel Kochhann – Charrua (RS) & Desterro (SC)
Samara Vergara – Pasteur (SP)
Taís Prioste – Bobigny (France)
Yasmim Soares – Melina (MT)
