NFL executive says Brazil can win a franchise in league: 'We need to expand'

Edited by Prancheta Viva, with information from Leonardo Pratt of Rio de Janeiro (RJ)

2026 opens the NFL's most international moment

The 2009-10 season marked the NFL's most international moment in history, as the league set a new record for games played outside of the United States: 9 regular-season games were played overseas during the year.

Among these 9 games, the highlight is Dallas Cowboys x Baltimore Ravens, scheduled for Sunday (27) in Rio de Janeiro.

Goodell was already talking about a franchise outside the U.S.

The NFL's international expansion is not limited to the calendar. Roger Goodell, commissioner of the NFL had already raised the hypothesis that in the near future there would be a franchise based outside the United States.

In an exclusive interview with ESPN, Goodell did not rule out Brazil as the host of this possible team.

38 million fans as the basis of the Brazilian project

For Goodell, the argument goes through the fans. The NFL points to a fan base of approximately 38 million in Brazil.

The reasoning behind the league is simple: the larger the audience, the more space there is for partnerships, products, activations and investment.

Friday the 25th: Flamengo and Cowboys make pre-game bridge

The NFL Rio Game operation was set up with actions off the field. On Friday (25), in training, Flamengo and Dallas Cowboys players exchanged gifts.

The league has also created collaborations with Carioca teams, including clothing and accessory collections.

What the NFL Learns From Brazilian Football

Goodell also stated that the league sees Brazil as a learning environment. The NFL understands it can look to lessons from local football and world soccer, especially in fan passion, culture and stadium experience.

By visiting Brazil, the league hopes to come back with new ideas for improving its own operation.

Sunday: Cowboys against Ravens at the Maracanã .

Goodell did not hide the excitement when designing two NFL teams in Maracanã.

He described the stadium as iconic and extremely traditional, and stated that it is an honor and a privilege to be there. For the NFL, the game also fulfills another role: taking the league to historical arenas and sharing this experience with the rest of the world.

The Huddle Abroad Rio: flag football, education and culture

In addition to the game at Maracanã, the NFL promotes The Huddle Abroad Rio, an initiative that brings together flag football for children, education and cultural exchange.

The idea is to use sport as a bridge for rapprochement, mutual respect and exchange between the two realities.

On what foot are you now

The NFL lives in Rio de Janeiro a stage of international growth with strong presence in Brazil. the season already brings together 9 games outside the United States, on Sunday (27) puts Cowboys x Ravens at Maracanã and Friday (25) marks actions with Flamengo and Carioca teams.

For the fans, the message is straightforward: The game is a showcase but the 38 million fan base, local partnerships, collections with Carioca identity and The Huddle Abroad Rio shows that the league intends to turn presence into a long-term relationship.

Source of the information

Statements by Roger Goodell in an exclusive interview with ESPN, recorded by Leonardo Pratt from Rio de Janeiro (RJ).