Fortaleza is one of the most traditional clubs in the Northeastern region of Brazil alongside Bahia, Vitria, Santa Cruz, Sport, Nutico and Cear, its biggest rival. The club's colors are red, blue and white.

The Campeonato Brasileiro Srie A (Portuguese pronunciation: [kPpjonatu b~azilej~u s[~ii a]; English: "Brazilian Championship A Series"), commonly referred to as the Brasileiro ( pronounced [b~azilej~w]; English: "Big Brazilian"), and also known as Brasileiro Assa due to sponsorship with Assa Atacadista, is ...

The team was flying from Santa Cruz de la Sierra, in Bolivia, to Medellin, Colombia, where it was set to play in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final when it crashed into a hillside. Nineteen players and 19 staff were killed. Just three players survived.