World Cup Memories: Georges, LeBlanc and Pellegrino Share Inspiration

With less than a year to go until the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027™ kicks off, three legends of the game have shared how the tournament shaped their journeys from spectators to players. Laura Georges, Karina LeBlanc and Aline Pellegrino joined The FIFA Podcast to reflect on the moments that inspired them before they ever stepped onto the global stage.

The tournament, scheduled to take place from 24 June to 25 July next year, will be the first Women's World Cup hosted in South America. For the trio, the memories of watching World Cups on television remain vivid, and their stories highlight the power of the event to unite nations and inspire new generations.

From Spectators to Stars

Karina LeBlanc: A Home World Cup Farewell

Karina LeBlanc, who earned 110 caps for Canada, first became aware of the World Cup through the men's game. As a child, she watched the tournament before she had developed a deep passion for football, but the images left a lasting impression.

“It was the first time I ever saw the world unite. I wasn’t a football lover at that point, but I saw the world unite around a sport and it was contagious,” she recalled.

Her perspective shifted with the FIFA Women's World Cup 1999™, held in the USA, when at just 19 years old she was named in Canada's squad. That tournament marked the beginning of five consecutive World Cup campaigns, culminating in her final appearance on home soil in 2015. That edition, played in front of passionate Canadian crowds, left the strongest impression on the Atlanta-born goalkeeper, who grew up idolising Roberto Baggio and Peter Schmeichel.

“When I got my first cap there were about six people in the stands, including my parents. And then I retired at a home World Cup, where you just saw a sea of red […] and everybody knew the players’ names,” LeBlanc said.

Laura Georges: A Dream Realised

Across the Atlantic, a young Laura Georges was inspired by France hosting the men's FIFA World Cup™ in 1998. After watching Les Bleus on television, she would head to the Parc de Versailles for kick-abouts with friends, where she made a bold prediction.

“I told one of my friends that, one day, I would play in the World Cup. He laughed at me,” recalled Georges, now FIFA's Head of Strategic Football Development.

The performances of Lilian Thuram, who scored twice in the semi-final win over Croatia, further fuelled her ambition. Thuram's Guadeloupean roots, which he shares with Georges, made his story resonate deeply. “I want to achieve like him,” she told herself.

Georges' dream became reality. She went on to feature at three World Cups with France, earning 188 caps – 46 more than her hero Thuram. Her journey underscores one of the greatest strengths of the tournament: those who grow up watching from afar can one day find themselves in the spotlight.

Aline Pellegrino: A Brazilian Perspective

Aline Pellegrino, a former Brazil international with 65 appearances for the Seleção, also knows what it feels like to play in a World Cup. She featured at the 2007 and 2011 editions of the global showpiece, adding her own chapter to the tournament's history.

As the countdown to Brazil 2027 continues, these stories serve as a reminder of the tournament's enduring impact on players and fans alike.