A landmark survey released by polling institute Datafolha reveals a noticeable shift in Brazil’s sports culture: public enthusiasm for football is undergoing a steady and measurable decline in a country long celebrated as the global home of the sport.
According to the study conducted across 139 municipalities in late July 2026, 36% of Brazilians aged 16 and older report having zero interest in football.
Among the 64% who still maintain a connection to the game:
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28% report a “high level of interest”.
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36% report “some interest”.
The 8-Point Drop Since 2023
Data published in O Globo shows that overall engagement has fallen by 8 percentage points compared to Datafolha’s previous general football survey in 2023.
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2023 Survey: 72% expressed interest in football, while 28% were disinterested.
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2026 Survey: Total interested respondents fell from 72% down to 64% (or 54% when looking strictly at active followers across specific segments), pushing total disinterest up to 36%.
Demographic Breakdown
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Gender Divide: Men continue to follow football at significantly higher rates (77% total interest) than women (52% total interest).
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Education Level: Formal education shows a strong direct correlation with football interest. While less than half of respondents with primary education follow the sport (49%), that figure climbs to 67% among high school graduates and peaks at 75% for those with higher education degrees.
Key Survey Parameters
| Parameter | Details |
| Polling Agency | Datafolha |
| Publication | O Globo / Folha de S.Paulo |
| Fieldwork Dates | July 22–23, 2026 |
| Sample Size | 2,004 respondents across 139 municipalities |
| Target Population | Brazilians aged 16 and older |
| Margin of Error | $\pm 2$ percentage points |
Drivers Behind the Shift
Analysts point to several interrelated factors behind this gradual erosion of football’s cultural monopoly in Brazil:
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International Missteps: Disappointing performances by the men’s national team (Seleção) in recent major international tournaments have dampened the traditional “fever” that once unified the nation.
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Evolving Media Habits: Younger demographics increasingly consume shorter-form digital content, esports, and fragmented media formats rather than watching full 90-minute matches.
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Economic & Commercial Shifts: Streaming fragmentation and rising ticket prices for domestic club matches have distanced lower-income segments—evidenced by the lower interest rates recorded among primary-education respondents.
Despite these headwinds, sports analysts note that upcoming events—such as Brazil hosting the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup—could present a pivotal opportunity to rekindle national excitement for the game.
