Brazil face Argentina in Buenos Aires tonight in a crucial World Cup qualifying tie. Win or lose, however, Brazil’s future looks less than bright under unpopular manager Dunga. But, as James Young explains, the country’s footballing problems run much deeper than that – and it might just be the fault of the fans. By James Young(…)
Arquivo - Tag: World Cup
Brazilian football and (corrupt) politics – a brief history
Brazilians’ love for soccer has been exploited by crooks, dictators, and dirty politicians for decades. Above, dictator Emilio Médici celebrates after his country’s 1970 World Cup victory. By Mauricio Savarese When former Brazilian soccer boss José Maria Marin was arrested in Switzerland at the end of May, most fans here just knew him as the old guy that(…)
Brazil’s upper middle class returns to public life
For years, crime, classism and old habits have kept Brazil’s well-to-do away from the messy reality of the country’s streets. But the World Cup, and now, anger at the government, have brought them back onto the scene. By James Young “Go downtown?* Are you crazy! It’s far too dangerous!” (*Or “Go to the football” or(…)
Before and after the World Cup
The very fun World Cup confounded expectations while exposing some deep truths. Was it all worth it? Above, dismantling the extra seats at São Paulo’s Itaquerão Stadium. James Young Belo Horizonte It is January. The foreign journalist sits at his desk in London (or New York or Berlin) and thinks about the World Cup. The(…)
Cup weeks 3 and 4 – actually about football
The Cup went well enough that we finally got to focus on the soccer for a few weeks. Now, it’s back to the real problems. Vincent Bevins Rio de Janeiro Since early May, and really, since June 2013, we’ve seen the meaning of the World Cup shift radically, many times. Before it all started, the(…)
Copa week 2 – I told you so
The government must be relieved that things have gone relatively smoothly, though a Brazil loss still strikes terror into the hearts of many here. With protests and strife in the background for now, many Brazilians have been mixing with foreigners meaningfully for the first time. James Young Belo Horizonte For the last few months the(…)
Soccer and US-Brazil relations
U.S.-Brazil relations are still strained due to allegations of high-level NSA spying and corporate espionage. In the unlikely event that the US team makes a strong showing at the World Cup this year, how would Brazilians respond? Any chances of success hinge on today’s game against Portugal. Nathan Walters Rio de Janeiro I am always surprised when(…)
Copa week 1 – men, few problems, and boos
Vincent Bevins Natal We’ve had a week of the World Cup now, and here’s my first impressions. This is not a promise to do this every week. Lots of dudes I was in Berlin for the 2006 World Cup, and I spent a few years thinking about the arrival of the 2014 World Cup, so(…)
Songs that are better than the FIFA World Cup theme
The 2014 Brazil World Cup now has an official theme song, and it sucks. At least, that’s what lots of Brazilians have been saying since the video dropped Friday. I thought “generic foreign rhythms and lazy stereotypes” captured the sentiment fairly well. So, here are two songs (from Brazil) that might serve better as the(…)
Brazil and US visas – a reciprocal headache
As many annoyed travelers are currently finding out, visas are required even for tourist travel between the two countries. It’s the consequence of ‘reciprocity,’ which increasingly feels like officials in Washington and Brasília needlessly banging their heads against one other. But in the wake of the Snowden revelations, things are not likely to improve. Anna(…)
