The Brazil Football Team

The Brazil football team unites the country and brings a sense of celebration and pride. If you decide to visit Brazil during football season, you will see this evident everywhere!

It is fascinating to watch the reactions of Brazilians as they cheer on their team. It has been said that England invented football, but Brazil perfected it.

Brazil football has given its fans a lot to cheer about over the years. It is the most successful country in the history of the World Cup with five championships; they are the only country to have played in every World Cup finals. They are scheduled to host the World Cup in 2014, which automatically qualifies them as contenders.

History of the Brazil Football Team

The first match ever played was in 1914. Contrasting stories have them winning or finishing in a tie. Their beginnings were much less impressive than later years.

They hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1950, the only time they have been hosts up to now. It is remembered as one of the worst defeats in Brazil history and nicknamed “The Fateful Final.” They had been in the lead and ended up losing 2-1.

In 1958, the coach got strict with the players and gave them a list of forty things they could not do during the World Cup playoffs held in Sweden. Among this list were the rules that they could not wear hats or umbrellas. Other rules included not talking to the press unless allowed and not smoking while wearing their uniforms.

As odd as some of the rules sounded, they must have worked. Brazil won their first World Cup and they were the first team to win the title on another continent. They entered a period that has been called the golden era of Brazil football.

During this era, Pele became a famous player for the team and has since been regarded by many as the greatest football player in the twentieth century. During his eighteen year career, he scored more than twelve hundred goals and led his team to their first World Cup title.

Pele was also part of the 1970 football team, which is regarded by many as the greatest team ever in Brazil. They won the Jules Rimet World Trophy for the third time, and they got to keep it.

The team went through a rough period from 1970 to 1994 with no titles or even competitions in the finals. After this point, their luck changed when they took the title once again.

International Competition

Brazil holds many records in international play. They have won the World Cup five times, more than any other country. They are also the only team that has won on every continent, making them a favorite every year.

The Brazil football team is labeled as one of the most competitive teams in each decade, beginning with the 1960s. They have won two silver medals and two bronze medals in the Olympics. They have also won three titles in the FIFA Confederations Cup, making them the most successful in this competition.

The Culture of Brazil Football

Brazilians are passionate about their football team. It is the most popular sport in Brazil and kids will play in the streets if they have nowhere else to go. They have nicknamed their country "the country of football".

When the World Cup is on, people skip work to watch. Employers also set up places for employees to watch while at work. Banks shut down early to allow their employees to get ready for the game.

Former football players are often elected to office and the general election is held the same year as the World Cup. This allows politicians to use the popularity of the sport and integrate it into Brazil politics.

Before national competitions were possible, state and inter-state competitions were popular. Today they are still as popular even with national titles and many rivalries remain. Over ten thousand Brazilians play football somewhere in the world. It is the dream of many kids growing up.

The Brazil football team has its own unique style that is called Ginga. It is a fast moving style that focuses on tricking their opponent and attacking them to get their goals. Their style is often compared to a dance as they move effortlessly across the field.

Women's Football in Brazil

While not as popular as men's football, women do have a Brazil football team. The team represents the country in international competitions. They played their first game against the United States in 1986.

Brazil culture believes that football is not a sport for women, so they have received much less support than their male team. In spite of this fact, Brazil has the most successful women's football team in South American. They have been in contention for the World Cup since 1999.

There can be no doubt that the women are exceptional players. Marta has won the title of FIFA player of the year five times since 2006. This is quite an accomplishment since it was against the law for women to play football until 1981.

Marta is the goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme, and like many other celebrity sports stars, she speaks for the causes she believes in. One of her causes is equality for women in Brazil.

Today, both men's and women's football teams are seen as some of the strongest in the world. They have gained respect all over the world for their talent and determination. The men's team still turns out exceptional talent. While they may not be as brilliant as the team from the 1970s, they bring an excitement and exuberance to the country when they play.

If you choose to take your trip during football season, you will be a witness of a cultural phenomenon as the entire country rallies behind their team. If you get the chance to see a game while you are in Brazil, do not pass up the opportunity. You will see Brazilians at one of their proudest moments as they cheer on their Brazil football team.