Why Aren't Brazilians Excited About the World Cup?

In a month, Brazil will host one of the biggest sports events on the planet in a place that's the mecca of soccer. And yet: why aren't people more excited?

Brazil's a big country, and there are 12 host cities, so it's hard to generalize. But the impression I'm getting, particularly from those in Rio and São Paulo, is that there's a definitive lack of anticipation.

Some in Rio say that in past World Cups, the process of decorating the streets with paint and streamers--often done through fundraisers through neighborhood associations--started earlier, whereas now, it hasn't happened yet, or is just starting. World Cup decorations just aren't up around the city, they say. "You wouldn't know there's a World Cup on the way," one Carioca said. Some say they notice a definitive lack of excitement in comparison to past Cups, and identified a different, less animated atmosphere.

Here are some of the things I've heard from Cariocas and Paulistas.

"The prevailing feeling is one of pessimism and a certain indifference."

"There's general dispiritedness."

"Nobody cares."

"We're spending billions and our problems continue, and will continue."

Frustrated by corruption, Brazilians are "crossing their arms once again."

"Now that we know how the event is done, we've lost our enthusiasm."

"Nobody's in the mood."

Surveys show a similar trend. An April Datafolha poll found that 55 percent of Brazilians think the World Cup will hurt the country more than it will help it. This number actually rose since last June by 11 percentage points. Plus, Cariocas in particular are feeling pessimistic: a May poll found that 46 percent of Rio residents have a negative outlook on Brazil.

Maybe it's that people care more about local clubs that the national team, one journalist pointed out. Maybe people will get more into the Cup once the games start, especially if Brazil does well. But in the meantime, perhaps there's a hangover from last year's protests, or maybe people are just tired of the consequences of the event preparation, such as billions of taxpayer reais spent on stadiums with cases of overbilling and corruption in the process.

But there's no going back now, so in the face of this unease, how are people anticipating the games?

First, there are the strikes, particularly in Rio. Public school teachers are now on strike, bus workers are on strike for at least 48 hours, and federal police are threatening to go on strike during the World Cup. And now airline workers from Lan and TAM are threatening to go on strike during the games. As I wrote in March, this is the critical time that workers have to pressure employers into salary raises, or risk serious imbroglios during the World Cup.

Meanwhile, some are taking advantage of the event to point out Brazil's problems. Journalist Mauricio Savarese writes that some of the elite are exposing their frustration with being Brazilian (also known as the complexo de vira-lata.) One company, he shows, even printed tee-shirts with the words "Down with this underdeveloped Brazil." Savarese explains: "They poison the tone about Brazil hosting the World Cup more than the mistakes and bad planning in the run-up to football’s extravaganza." Plus, he adds, "Many are kidnapping the very social agenda they disagree with to make shallow and politically disengaged criticism."

Finally, there are some using the run-up to the games for activism purposes. For example, Rio de Paz has been running a campaign to protest World Cup spending and corruption in comparison to social spending. They also organized an event in which they painted the street and decorated it with flags, and then held a protest dressing up as hospital patients.

Update: For another perspective on this issue, check out a story in El País Brasil that came out after this post; also see similar stories from the Washington Post, Beyondbrics, and Huffington Post.

Image: A street in downtown Rio ahead of the 2010 World Cup. (Paisagem Grafica da Cidade)

Comments

[Anna]

It's said that the party host is the one person that doesn't enjoy the party. It goes double for Brazil and the World Cup. Too much money being spent, one too many FIFA regulations... and the national team ain't exactly that exciting, on top of everything (not to mention how fed up everyone seems to be with the CBF ruling but that's another story). So why bother? I guess the feeling is that since it's Fifa's party anyway, they might as well shove it!

The ennui regarding the street décor is not new, though. Last World Cup we had the same thing going on, as far as I can recall (I lived then in São Paulo's Zona Leste, just for the sake of statistics).

[Silvia Tavares]

Hi Rachel!
I am a Brazilian living in New Zealand. I have been furious with all that I have seen in Brazil lately, and my hope has also been disappearing. I also know that I have probably been very annoying to my friends as I do believe as outsiders we see more than insiders. I am angry... And sad. If in Brazil people had access to what we see on BBC, CNN etc. If just they understood that despite being a naturally rich and beautiful country, we haven't had much to celebrate. People say we cannot confuse matters of World Cup and political problems. These same people complain that last year's protests haven't gone anywhere, while they buy tickets to the 'bread and circus'. I have friends who are very intelligent and educated, and still... The only thing they see is that they don't want to be 'the ones' missing out. In the end I guess I am losing hope on the 'power of change' it isn't there, it isn't anywhere, there is nowhere it can come from. I wish I could do something, but I don't know what, hopefully I will find out. I feel guilty for being a privileged Brazilian living in a developed country while complaining about what I see. But the reality is that we seem to have more 'voice' living in another country than when we 'become part of the system'. I wish everyone could see Brazil from outside at some stage. Sorry for ranting on your blog... But I am a truly frustrated (and furious) Brazilian. Not just with the government, but with the overall behaviour and acceptance from the population.