Experiences of Women’s Football in Brazil (1915–1941)Historical pathways from the sport’s early development to its expansion and subsequent ban

Abstract

The history of Brazilian football, long shaped through male-centered narratives, has obscured women's participation despite their documented presence in the sport since the early twentieth century. This article examines episodes, clubs, locations, and experiences that demonstrate the continuous practice of women’s football between 1915 and 1941, prior to the official ban imposed by Decree-Law 3.199. Drawing on underexplored primary sources—newspapers and illustrated magazines—the study uncovers women’s active involvement in aristocratic, working-class, and suburban contexts, as well as the gender, race, and class tensions that shaped their visibility. By reconstructing this trajectory, the article contributes to a critical revision of Brazilian football historiography and challenges narratives that claim women lacked tradition or interest in the sport.