As digital football and esports continue to evolve, Brazil—home to so many football legends and a world-renowned powerhouse—brings the same energy that have long defined its presence on the traditional football pitch. While celebrated for its legacy of excellence across all forms of football, the South American giant is also fueled by a tech-savvy, game-loving population, making it uniquely positioned to thrive in the football esports scene.

This combination of fortes in Brazil, strengthened by the unwavering support from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has extended the well-earned reputation of the nation in the world of esports. Isadora Barbosa, Marketing Manager of the CBF, shared insights into the strategic expansion of the federation into football esports, the initiatives that have fueled its growth, and its vision for the future.

The Motivation: a combination of passion for gaming and love for football

To understand what led the CBF to step into the digital version of the game, we asked Barbosa about the motivations behind this move: “Just as Brazil is a nation passionately devoted to football, it is also one of the world’s most engaged countries when it comes to esports - with nearly 74% of our population consuming games. Recognizing this powerful connection, the CBF was inspired to enter the world of football esports as a way to engage younger, more connected audiences and to expand our mission through new platforms. We bring to this growing discipline the same passion, commitment, and vision that have defined Brazilian football throughout its history.”

The convergence of the love for gaming and sport presented a unique opportunity for the CBF: the creation of a new pathway for fans to connect with the national football identity in an equally impactful and inclusive way.

The key initiatives

The CBF has been particularly successful not only in getting trophies, but also in nurturing their players and fans. Because it is such a powerful and open community, we wanted to know what were the initiatives that have most supported and influenced its growth. “One of the CBF’s most impactful initiatives has been the e-Brasileirão, our official national football esports tournament. Over the years, it has engaged more than 244,000 participants and awarded over BRL 210'000 in prizes. In its most recent edition alone, we reached over 50,000 players - evidence of the tournament’s growing influence in nurturing the local esports community. We also leverage our digital platforms, which together exceed 200,000 followers, to amplify engagement and foster a vibrant ecosystem around football esports in Brazil.”

The e-Brasileirão is a product of confidence, investment from the CBF, and enrichment from players across the country. No matter what game title the CBF chooses to play and host: the love and support for the game and the flag is undeniable. Through large-scale tournaments and consistent digital outreach, the CBF continues to shape their infrastructure and communication channels that support both grassroots participation and elite competition.

The factory of Champions

Besides fostering an engaged community, the CBF has made sure to provide a structured pathway for aspiring and seasoned players to grow and succeed. Like any other traditional athlete, football esports players require persistence and training, and the CBF makes sure to develop programs that prepare players exactly for that. According to Barbosa, “The CBF is deeply committed to supporting the next generation of football esports talent. We provide structured training periods for our eSeleção (national esports team), ensuring our athletes are well-prepared to achieve competitive success on the global stage. At the same time, we are working to expand access for young and aspiring players to participate in our tournaments—creating more pathways, opportunities, and visibility for those who dream of building a career in football esports.”

Focusing on both preparation and access, this is how the CBF lays a foundation for long-term success in the football esports scene. Beyond winning championships and making a true impact in the ecosystem, the CBF consistently develops sustainable pipelines for national talent to thrive.

Building the future

As digital football continues to gain momentum, the CBF’s overall strategy has leaned on the further development of the discipline. We asked the CBF about the goals and hopes for the future of esports within the Brazilian football landscape: “Under the leadership of President Samir Xaud, esports has become a strategic priority for the CBF. Looking ahead, our vision is to build a robust and inclusive national calendar for the discipline and to further invest in the development and success of our eSeleção. We believe that football esports is a powerful tool to engage new generations and expand the reach of the sport we love—on and off the pitch.”

A structure to deepen into the world of football esports is a big step, and we have no doubt it will continue to raise the bar within both the local and international community. The CBF continues positioning esports not just as a side venture, but as an essential component of Brazil's football future with institutional backing and clear strategic goals.

Being a global powerhouse is the goal

With an eye on legacy, innovation and an ambition, the journey of the CBF focuses on mirroring the country’s iconic success in traditional football and other football disciplines. When we asked the CBF how they want the local and global football esports communities to perceive them, Barbosa clarified expressed: “With back-to-back FIFA esports world titles in 2022 and 2023, our ambition is clear: just as Brazil is a global powerhouse in traditional football, we aim to be recognized as a world leader in football esports. We want the CBF to be seen—both locally and internationally—as a driving force for excellence, innovation, and passion in the digital game. That is the commitment we are bringing into the next chapter of our esports journey.”

The federation sets an evident global benchmark for how football federations around the world can lead within the world of digital football. And with accumulated success over the years, Brazil’s continued dominance in football esports feels less like a shift—and more like a natural progression.

About the CBF and FIFAe

With the support of the CBF, the eSeleçãohas firmly secured its place as a global leader in football esports. Brazil made history as the first nation to win back‑to‑back FIFAe Nations Cup™ titles, triumphing in 2022 with PHzin, Crepaldi and Klinger after a thrilling victory over Poland in Copenhagen during the Finals, and again in2023, after PHzin, Resende and PauloNeto999 staged an epic comeback to beat the Netherlands 3–2 in Riyadh.

For the FIFAe Finals 2024, the momentum carried, where Brazil also came close to glory at the FIFAe World Cup featuring eFootball™ Console. The Brazil squad delivered a remarkable performance throughout the pinnacle event, ultimately falling short in a tight Final match against a strong Indonesian team. Likewise, CBF’s Rocket League squad managed to reach the Semi Finals at the FIFAe World Cup 2024 featuring Rocket League. The CBF’s competitive strategy has ensured that the teams have regularly reaching the final rounds and securing top finishes.

Brazil’s excellence in FIFAe competitions, however, is rooted in a legacy that predates recent trophies. The very first FIFA Interactive World Cup held in Amsterdam in 2004 was won by the Brazilian player Thiago Carrico, predicting the country’s longstanding influence in the global football gaming scene.

The consecutive championships and persistent participation of Brazil in the world of football esports highlight the depth of talent, tactical preparation, motivation and absolute passion within the country. Supported by CBF nurture and development initiatives, Brazil will continue shaping the future of football esports globally.