The Brazilian team reaches the final cycle of preparation for the 2026 World Cup surrounded by distrust. Datafolha Institute survey reveals that only 33% of Brazilians bet on the conquest of the hexacal championship, the lowest rate since the beginning of the historical series in 1994.
The survey, originally published in “Folha de S. Paulo” and made on June 10th and 11th with 2,004 people in 136 cities, it shows a divided country.
One third of the interviewees could not give an opinion on the possible champion of the tournament, while the rest distributed their bets among other teams, such as Argentina (9%), Spain (8%) and France (6%). The margin of error is two percentage points.
Current skepticism surpasses until the one recorded before the 2018 World Cup, when it would still digest the 7-1 trauma. That year, 48% believed in the title. In 2022, confidence reached 54%.
Now, with Carlo Ancelotti recently assumed in technical command and the team classified under pressure on, the country lives its lowest point of optimism.
Confidence is higher among young people 16 to 24 years old (39%) and lower among those who are 60 or older (28%). Among genders, 43% of women could not answer, compared to 23% of men.
Political polarization also reflects in football. Among those intended to vote for Lula (PT), 42% believe in the title. Already between voters from Jair Bolsonaro (PL), confidence drops to 29%. In the group that wants to nullify or vote blank, only 26% cite Brazil as a favorite, and 47% could not give their opinion.
The recent history contributes to discouragement. Since the title in 2002, he fell four times in the quarterfinals and embittered a fourth place in 2014, with the historic defeat to Germany. Despite tradition and curriculum, the national team has struggled to convince the fans and regain the country’s faith.
The 2026 World Cup debut is scheduled for June, with games in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Until then, Ancelotti will have little time to adjust a team that is no longer unanimous and that, according to the survey, has lost its greatest heritage: the confidence of the people.
