Football

Football is the most popular sport in Brazil. Brazilians probably know the true passion football brings more than almost any other country. So, they often refer to their country as "o País do Futebol" ("the country of football"). Everyone from men and women to children will usually have a team and football stadiums become charged with emotions as rival teams from across the country battle it out on the pitch to the sound of thousands of fans cheering, booing, and singing.

Football has a major effect on Brazilian culture. It is the favorite pastime of youngsters playing football on the streets and on indoor Futebol de Salão fields. The World Cup draws Brazilians together, with people skipping work to view the national team play, or employers setting up places for employees to watch. The General Elections are usually held in the same year as the World Cup, and critics argue that political parties try to take advantage of the nationalistic surge created by football and bring it into politics. Former Brazilian footballers are often elected to legislative positions.