Get To Know Corinthians: The Brazilian Giants Bringing the Noise

If you’ve watched any of the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup this week, you’ve felt it already. The flags. The chants. The energy. Corinthians fans turning up in London like it’s a home game and reminding everyone that football culture travels.

After reaching the final of the inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, the Brazilian side have quickly become one of the most talked-about teams in the tournament, and for good reason.

Who Are Corinthians?

Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, based in São Paulo, competes in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A1, Brazil’s top division. In short: they’re a powerhouse. Domestically dominant, continentally feared, and very comfortable in big moments.

A Team Built To Win

Corinthians didn't arrive at finals hoping for magic. They arrive expected it.

They’ve won the Copa Libertadores Femenina six times, most recently in October 2025, and lifted the Brazilian league title seven times. Add multiple Supercopa do Brasil wins and it’s clear this is a team that knows how to manage pressure, expectations and silverware.

How They Reached the Final

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Corinthians qualified for the Champions Cup by winning the Copa Libertadores, earning CONMEBOL’s place in FIFA’s new global competition. Due to visa issues entering the UK, several Corinthians players only arrived on Sunday, leaving the squad with limited preparation time together.

In the semi-final, they were labelled underdogs against NWSL champions Gotham FC. Predictions leaned heavily one way, and Corinthians took that personally. Through disciplined defending, composure and pure belief, they stayed in the game before captain Gabi Zanotti struck late, scoring the 83rd-minute winner that sent Corinthians into the final.

In the other semi-final draw, Arsenal booked their place in the final with a commanding 6-0 win, setting up a final that suddenly felt impossible to ignore.

More Than A Club: Corinthians Culture

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To understand Corinthians, you have to understand the fans.

The semi-final in Brentford kicked off at midday on a midweek, which is not exactly fan-friendly timing, yet by 10:30am, the streets were already filling. Drums. Flags. Chants. Around 500 supporters marched together, turning West London into a pocket of São Paulo.

Speak to Corinthians fans and you hear the same thing again and again: distance doesn’t dilute devotion. Whether they’ve travelled from Brazil, elsewhere in Europe, or across the UK, supporting Corinthians isn’t a hobby, it’s a lifestyle.

There’s history behind that loyalty too. In 2010, over 20,000 Corinthians fans travelled to Japan to watch the men’s team lift the Club World Cup against Chelsea. That same energy now follows the women’s side, without hesitation. 

This week in London proved it. Corinthians fans were everywhere, loud from the first whistle to the last, often outsinging home support even inside the Emirates.

Why This Tournament Matters

Whilst The Champions Cup has had some controversy in relation over scheduled football calendars, the prize money is significant, with at least $1 million for second place and $2.3 million for the winners.

For clubs outside Europe’s biggest leagues, that kind of investment is huge. It’s opportunity, sustainability and proof that global women’s football deserves serious backing. 

Players You Might Know

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The squad is largely Brazilian, but there are familiar names. Andressa Alves, formerly of Barcelona and Houston Dash, features, alongside players with experience across Europe and South America.

Add in leaders like Zanotti and goalkeeper Lelê, and you get a group that thrives on being underestimated.

Final: Arsenal 3–2 Corinthians (AET)

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Corinthians’ run came to an end in a breathless final at the Emirates, but not without one last statement. Olivia Smith opened the scoring for Arsenal before captain Gabi Zanotti responded just six minutes later, once again stepping up when it mattered most.

With Arsenal leading 2-1 deep into stoppage time, a 96th-minute penalty handed Corinthians a lifeline, coolly converted by Vic Albuquerque to force extra time. Caitlin Foord eventually found the winner for Arsenal, helped by home advantage and a packed Emirates crowd.

Still, finishing second comes with a $1 million prize, massive for the club, and a tournament that exceeded every expectation. Playing in Arsenal’s own stadium, Corinthians more than held their own, and at times, even out-sang the home support.

They leave London with no trophy, but plenty of respect, and proof that Brazilian women’s football belongs on the biggest stage.