SAO PAULO (Brazil): A soccer team composed exclusively of Indigenous players made its professional debut in Brazil earlier this month, marking a historic milestone for Indigenous representation in the country’s sports scene.
The team, the Originarios, has become the first fully Indigenous team to compete in an official soccer championship in Rio. The purpose of the team is not to win trophies, but to give visibility to people who suffer greatly, directly defending their land, according to Tupa Nunes, who is the President of the club and is also the chief of the Mata Verde Bonita o, home to Guarani Mbya Indigenous people. Building the squad required an active search for Indigenous talent across the country, club officials said.
The Originarios play in Rio’s fifth division that is mainly for players under the age of 23. The team is composed of more than 25 youngsters from 13 native Brazilian groups. They train in Marica, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Rio.
They played their first official match earlier this month, winning 2-0. The squad aims to use sport as a platform to highlight Indigenous rights and preserve traditional cultures.
Indigenous people, who represent 0.8% of Brazil’s population, are disproportionately targeted by violence. Research shows hundreds of Indigenous individuals are killed every year in land disputes in Brazil.
Soccer, or football, is the most popular sport in Brazil. Professional leagues typically receive significant media coverage and public attention.
Brazil has a long history of using sports as a unifying force and a platform for social movements. Indigenous communities in the country have faced decades of marginalization and challenges related to land rights, environmental protection, and cultural recognition. By entering the professional soccer arena, the team hopes to raise awareness of these issues while showcasing the talent and resilience of Indigenous athletes.
An Originarias team of female players is expected to start play in 2027, the same year Brazil hosts the Women’s World Cup.
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