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Students from Olympic Villages dream of a future in the World Cup, one month before Brazil's debut.
Published on 13/05/2026 - 10:52 | Updated
The Municipal Sports Secretariat offers soccer classes in 19 locations in Rio de Janeiro - Photo: Press Release/SMEL With one month to go before the Brazilian national team's debut in the Men's World Cup, the dream of experiencing the next editions of the sport's main tournament is alive for those served by the Olympic Villages of the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Sports Secretariat. From children and teenagers who already excel in sports to students simply passionate about the world of football, there is great anticipation for the World Cup, which begins on June 11th.
— The public policies of the department allow our students to see high-performance sports as a reality. There are 28 facilities distributed throughout the municipality with different modalities and diverse activities, including soccer. This also helps the city get into the spirit of major events, such as the World Cup — says the Secretary of Sports, Bruno Ramos. This year's edition will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Seven-year-old Pedro Lopes can't stop thinking about the world's top players and the exciting matches that will unfold throughout the calendar leading up to the tournament's final, scheduled for July 19th at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The student from the Jorginho da SOS Olympic Village in the Complexo do Alemão favela expects great performances from the Brazilian national team in the competition: after all, the only country with five World Cup titles could bring the trophy back from North America after a 24-year drought.
"I do think Brazil has a chance to be champion. They have good players for it. I believe Vinícius Júnior should be the best player on the team in the World Cup, because he's even been the best in the world!" argues Pedro. The sport also serves to integrate the boy into his peer group during childhood. "I really like playing with my friends, helping my team and scoring goals. I love dribbling," he says.
Bruna Lopes, Pedro's mother, reports that his love for soccer has led to ever-increasing dedication. The boy now also trains at Madureira Esporte Clube, a traditional team from the city's North Zone—his performance with peers of the same age and the praise he has received fuel the dream that, in the future, this promising player from the Vila Olímpica in the Complexo do Alemão will represent Brazil in a World Cup.
"He's always been a huge soccer fanatic, he used to play with his dad at home. With the 2026 World Cup, he'll have a better understanding of what the competition is like. In the last one, Pedro was very little. I don't think he has many memories. Now he's excited, he really wants to see the games. He dreams of playing for a big team. He always talks about becoming a professional player."
Brazil's journey in the World Cup begins against Morocco on the 13th, at the same stadium as the final in July. Also in the first phase, there will be matches against Haiti on June 19th and Scotland five days later. Meanwhile, Kayke dos Santos, 15, also dreams of the World Cup. The student from the Apolinho Olympic Village in Gamboa, in the port area, already competes in tournaments for America Football Club and also pursues the goal of becoming a professional.
"I've been at Vila Olímpica da Gamboa since last year, with great teachers and good facilities. This helps with my routine; I can train more, improve my physical condition, and interact with other boys who also want to improve, which helps my development," explains Kayke, who dreams of one day playing for the national team alongside top European players like Rodrygo and Raphinha. The student from Vila Olímpica da Gamboa is optimistic about the athletes' performance under the Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Adailton Souza, the teenager's uncle, explains that from a young age, his daily life was always filled with soccer. Even in childhood, the frequency with which he played with friends meant that the family constantly had to replace pieces of his uniform, which wore out from so much use. Currently, the sport presents itself as an alternative for Kayke, who, in addition to setting the goal of becoming a high-performance professional athlete, also experiences the sport as a tool for transforming his reality and socializing with his peers.
"The camaraderie at the Olympic Village is great because it occupies and fills their minds and routines. Those moments when the boys are there are guaranteed; they go every day to participate in training and be part of the projects. All of this is combined with school and the other places where they play. God decides the future, but who knows if this passion for football might lead to a career connected to sports?" reflects Adailton.
The Olympic villages ended the first quarter of 2026 with 55.937 students and a staff of 486 contracted Physical Education teachers. Currently, there are 19 units offering soccer classes: Clara Nunes in Acari, Mané Garrincha in Caju, Jorginho da SOS in Complexo do Alemão, Aldo Miccolis in Encantado, Apolinho in Gamboa, Félix Mieli Venerando in Honório Gurgel, Nilton Santos on Ilha do Governador, Seu Amaro in Complexo da Maré, Artur da Távola in Vila Isabel, Piscinão de Ramos and Mangueira, in the North Zone; Doutor Sócrates Brasileiro in Pedra de Guaratiba, Oscar Schmidt in Santa Cruz, Jornalista Ary de Carvalho in Vila Kennedy, in the West Zone; Adílio in Vidigal, in the South Zone; In addition to the Olympic Park in the Southwest Zone, the Children's City and the Miécimo da Silva Sports Center in the West Zone, and the Machado de Assis Park in the port area.
To register for soccer classes, you need to contact each unit to find out if there are vacancies available in your desired age group. In Gamboa, for example, registration is open Tuesdays through Fridays, from 8 am to 17 pm. In Complexo do Alemão, the office is open Mondays through Fridays, from 9 am to 18 pm.
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