To support or not support. 

That's the question here in Brazil regarding the 2018 World Cup and the "Seleção" (the Portuguese word for german Mannschaft). Let me tell you why. 

Since 1970, there was never a better preparation from a Brazilian team heading for a World Cup. And, let's face it, there is no Pelé in this Tite's squad. 

In 21 games under Tite's guidance, Brazil won 17, tied 3 and lost only 1 (to Argentina and, let's face it again, in a friendly match without the likes of Neymar). That's 84% of victories. 

Not bad. 

And with strong wins such as 1x0 against the world champion Germany, 3x0 against archrival Argentina and 4x1 against resilient and traditional Uruguay in Montevideu! 

Not bad at all.

So why there's no WC atmosphere in "The country of football"? Yesterday, the DATAFOLHA Institute, a respected pool entity linked to Folha de São Paulo Group, released the result of its newest pool: How much Brazilians are interested or not in the Russian event? Well, 53% answered they just don't care about it.

Among the 2.824 answers coming from 174 cities, here are the most usuals:

  • Moral crisis at CBF, the Brazilian football federation
  • The distance, affectively speaking, from players who are abroad and from a national team that do not play friendly matches in Brazil
  • Political e economical crisis here
  • The Brazilian performance in 2014, specially the 1x7 against Germany.

What about now? Will it change it?

As I follow World Cups since the magical Mexico 70, when the country travelled under suspicion from the crowd, but then really stopped and supported the team since the first victory against Czechoslovakia (4x1), I tell you: it depends, specially, if we win and keep winning. 

If this happens, there's no economical or policial crisis that can stop "The Country of Football".

https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/esporte/2018/06/desinteresse-com-a-copa-bate-recorde-e-atinge-53-no-pais-mostra-datafolha.shtml