With 74 days to go until the start of the World Cup, Brazilian fans are gathering up their savings and preparing to embark for North America to closely follow the Brazilian team’s matches, hoping to see the end of a 24-year fast in loco.
The high ticket prices to watch the matches do not discourage fans, who are hopeful of winning the sixth, with or without Neymar’s presence.
In addition to the privilege of witnessing the cream of world football in action, they say they are also attracted by the unusual atmosphere that usually characterizes the competition, with parties and socializing among fans, and by the opportunity to go on an international trip and get to know new places and people.
Businessman Raphael Ravagnani, 39, born in São Bernardo do Campo, in Greater São Paulo, says that his first memories of the World Cups are from the 1994 tournament in the United States, when he became enchanted by the event by watching the matches on TV.
“From then on, it became a passion at first sight. I think the World Cup is very interesting because it has a complete package: the party, the decoration, getting family and friends together. The sticker albums, the shirts, the mascots. I was fascinated,” he said.
The first opportunity to watch World Cup games from inside the stadiums would come two decades later, in 2014, when he watched the Netherlands’ victory over Chile and Argentina’s victory against Switzerland from the Neo Química Arena.
In 2018, after saving money in the previous three years, he went to the Russian Cup with a group of friends.
In addition to football itself, he said he also realized the opportunity to tour the country to get to know a new culture. “That really became a key to how much cultural richness the World Cup brings, to the exchange of experiences.”
He was present again in Qatar, and is now preparing for a tour of North America. Accompanied by his wife and a friend, he leaves for Toronto on June 10th, where he intends to watch Canada’s debut, on the 12th, against the winner of the duel between Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European playoff.
They will then head to New York, to get to know the city and watch, on the 13th, in neighboring New Jersey, Brazil’s debut against Morocco. They will then go to Philadelphia, for the duel against Haiti.
With the “hunch” that Brazil will not be the leader in the first phase, Ravagnani will continue the trip to Mexico, where the team that qualifies in second place in the Brazilian team’s group will play. “For me, it is non-negotiable to see a game at the Azteca Stadium, extremely classic, that breathes football.”
The businessman then returns to São Paulo, to watch the rest of the tournament accompanied by family and friends. He estimates that, considering expenses with travel, accommodation, food and tickets, he should spend between R$30,000 and R$35,000.
Natural systems analyst from Campo Grande (MT), Ynara Costa, 54, says she doesn’t know exactly how much she will spend during the trip.
“I didn’t put it on paper and I don’t want to, because otherwise it would be discouraging, because it’s very expensive. If Brazil stays until the final then… I don’t know. It’s a very high price that I can’t say,” he said.
A member of the MVA (Movimento Verde Amarelo), a fan base known for accompanying Brazilian athletes in various competitions around the world, the analyst has been following the World Cups in situ since 1994.
He went to all the following editions, with the exception of 2002 and 2006, and to four finals — 1994, 1998, 2014 and 2022. “It’s my life investment. I stop changing my car to make these trips”, said Ynara, who already has guaranteed tickets for all of Brazil’s games.
With a series of complaints surrounding ticket prices, the fan with World Cup experience says she noticed an increase well above average. “I think it has increased progressively in all World Cups, but in this one it seems to me that it has increased disproportionately. The values are really very high.”
“The prices are extremely exorbitant”, endorsed Ravagnani. “It’s terrible. Tickets that I bought for around R$350 in the last World Cup are now going for R$2,500.”
Despite the high costs, fans say that the “magic” and “energy” involved in a World Cup, and the chance to witness Brazil’s six-year historic victory, are worth the investment.
“I don’t think it’s going to be an easy World Cup. We’re going in fits and starts, with a lot of playing with our hearts in our mouths. But I believe we can win,” said Ravagnani. He added that, although he is a fan of Neymar, he believes that the team today has “incredible pieces” that, if they don’t have the same talent as Santos’ number 10 in his peak, bring a “uniqueness” that could be the difference in the World Cup.
Ynara stated that she would like to see Neymar in the United States, but understands that he has to be more focused to convince Carlo Ancelotti, without distractions like poker nights just a few weeks before the start of the World Cup.
“I have very good expectations. We have a very experienced coach, with the strength to support his decisions”, said the fan. “I believe the hexa can come, but there are several other teams that are also favorites.”
Amid the immigration policy adopted by Donald Trump’s government and the criticized performance of ICE (the American immigration police), Brazilians say they do not have any major concerns related to this.
“From what I’ve been following, I haven’t seen anyone stop going because of this troubled time. I hope things are a little calmer by then and that everyone who wants to can go,” said Ynara.
“My wife and I have dual nationality, she is Italian and I am Portuguese, and we only need to apply online for an American visa for those who are European citizens. My friend, who only has Brazilian citizenship, had to go to the American consulate to request the visa and everything went well. So we don’t have that concern today,” said Ravagnani.
