The most popular sport in Brazil is football (known in America as “soccer”).
The Brazilian national football team has won the FIFA World Cup championship a record of 5 times. They won this title in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. They are the only team that has qualified for every World Cup competition ever held. They are also always one of the favorites to win the World Cup each time it happens.
After Brazil won their 3rd World Cup in 1970, they were awarded the Jules Rimet Trophy permanently. The Jules Rimet Trophy was the original prize for winning the World Cup.
It was put on display at the Brazilian Football Confederation headquarters in Rio de Janeiro in a cabinet with a front of bulletproof glass. Unfortunately, it was later stolen and now all that remains is a replica of the trophy.
Brazilian Football Culture and Players
Football is a large passion for Brazilians. They often call their country “o País do Futebol” (“the country of Football”). More than 10,000 Brazilians play professionally worldwide.
The sport has a large impact on Brazilian culture. It is considered a favorite pastime of youngsters playing Football on the streets and indoor, Futebol de salao fields. The World Cup is known for bringing Brazilians together.
People often skip work to view the national team play. General Elections are typically held in the same year as the World Cup.
Many say that political parties take advantage of the nationalistic rise caused by Football. Past Brazilian footballers are frequently elected to governmental positions.
Pelé is one of the most well known Brazilian Football players of all time. He is currently the all-time top scorer of the sport and led Brazil to 3 championships.
The current talents on the men’s national football team in Brazil include Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, and Kaká in. Currently, the most renowned star on the women’s national football goes by the name Marta.
2014 World Cup
In 2014, the football-loving country of Brazil will host the 20th FIFA World Cup. This is an international association football tournament that will occur in June and July of that year.
This will be the second time the competition will take place in Brazil. The first time it occurred in this country was the 1950 FIFA World Cup.
In 2014, Brazil will become the fifth country to have hosted the FIFA World Cup two times. The other countries that have also hosted twice include Mexico, Italy, France and Germany.
It will also be the first World Cup to occur in South America since the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina.
The qualification draw for the upcoming World Cup will be held at the Marina da Glória in Rio de Janeiro on 30 July 2011. Since Brazil is the host nation, they automatically qualify for the tournament.