Increasingly, Brazilians are blasé about two things most everyone used to be excited about – the FIFA World Cup and a wave of protests. We’ll see which way the pendulum swings again come June. Above, last year’s protests become the theme of a small ‘bloco’ at this year’s Carnaval. By Mauricio Savarese Attitudes went from(…)
Arquivo - Tag: World Cup
The World Cup and politics – a love story
In the wake of the tragedy at the stadium to host the opening match in 2014 (pictured above), Mauricio Savarese speculates on the political logic behind the selection of the 12 host cities. By Mauricio Savarese “Who are the most powerful governors and mayors in Brazil?” Back in 2008, that was a strange question to ask someone(…)
Video – Protests explode, São Paulo
Dom Phillips and Otavio Cury were at the protests here in São Paulo last night (June 17), taking in the scenes and exploring the diverse reasons people took to the streets. In Portuguese, with subtitles in English.
Brazil vs. England, at Maracanã
Though both the stadium and Brazil’s national side are still ‘under construction,’ Sunday’s match was a largely successful and inspiring example of what the World Cup here can be. Above, a dedicated England fan…who is Brazilian. By Dom Phillips Be careful around the Maracanã, because that part of town can be a bit sketchy, one carioca,(…)
Brazil 2012 – year in review
This year, the country didn’t deliver on everything international observers thought the country had promised, but Brazil still remains one of the 21st century’s most remarkable success stories. 2013 could be decisive. For those paying attention to Brazil headlines, 2012 was mostly a bad year. For some, it was enough to re-evaluate the status as(…)
South America wins – Corinthians take world title
The ‘people’s team‘ from São Paulo upset Chelsea this morning in Japan and delivered Brazilian football a particularly delicious triumph. Above, Peruvian Paolo Guerrero knocks in the winning goal. By Dom Phillips It has been six years since a South American team won the FIFA Club World Cup. But today Corinthians deserved every centimetre of(…)
World Club Championship – Corinthians vs. Chelsea
Sunday is a big date for anyone with more than a passing interest in Brazilian soccer. At 8.30am Brasília time, London’s Chelsea, one of the UK’s richest clubs, and current European Champions, face São Paulo’s Corinthians in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup at the Yokahoma Stadium in Japan. Above, Corinthians goalie Cassio,(…)
Is the real problem infrastructure?
Continuing on yesterday’s theme, here is another major consideration: I report in this Los Angeles Times cover story that Brazil’s infrastructure is woefully inadequate. Investments here could not only improve prospects for the World Cup in 2014 and the Rio 2016 Olympics, but also make Brazilian products more competitive and give those of us that(…)
Beer at the World Cup
As if Brazil hadn’t already been infuriating FIFA enough lately, it is looking like the government may uphold a ban on alcohol during all matches in 2014. Soccer fans in Brazil drink beer before and after the game, and are so intensely focused on the action during the 90-minute matches that the current law doesn’t(…)
Brazil’s soccer kingpin falls
The 2014 World Cup will have a new leader Ricardo Teixeira, the man responsible for running Brazilian soccer for 22 years, stepped down today, citing health reasons. But Teixeira, who would have organized the 2014 World Cup, has also been facing intense pressure to resign after a new corruption scandal emerged. Which was the real(…)
