The FIFA Standard

Driving to the airport the other day, with the sweet rhythms of Brazilian World Cup commentators filling my every audible sense, I realized my taxi driver wasn´t just listening. With a towel covering a miniature television set up by his steering wheel, he left just enough room to see choppy versions of the match being played. Needless to say my first reaction was, "Hey, I want to watch too!" second to, "Wait, are your eyes on the road?" Brazilians adore futebol, and as cliche as the saying goes, it is like a religion. My taxi driver couldn´t just listen, he had to watch. I found this to be a common practice with many other drivers slyly glimpsing at their phones or gps with the match being played. I was given the comparison of how countries similar to Iran and Ecuador had celebrations as if they won the Copa when merely making the tournaments thirty two teams. For Brazilians this is an unquestionable fact; they will obviously be in the Copa, along with the high hope and great pressure for success. With futebol in Brazil held at a standard higher than most countries tallest skyscrapers, it´s no wonder it would be an honor for them to host the Copa do Mundo. However, around four weeks of exploring Brazil has given me many opportunities to gather Brazilian insight concerning their hosting position. And I've learnt taxi drivers certainly like to talk at any mention of the Copa, even when you can only comprehend and minimal amount of Portuguese.

Needless to say the Copa do Mundo is not simply a futebol tournament for thirty two countries. It is much, much more than that. It tends to cultivate repercussions politically, socially and economically to the host country. Specific to the economic interests, I will explain the stadium standard controversy. But, before we move on, let me explain who runs the World Cup and what their role is.

FIFA (Federation International de Football Association) declares itself as a non-government not for profit organization with the primary objective, "to improve the game of football constantly and promote it globally in the light of its unifying, educational, cultural, and humanitarian values, particularly through youth and development programs (FIFA website)". FIFA's role in framing and controlling the world of futebol is drenched in allegations towards ruthless and sometimes corrupt officials. FIFA claims transparency, when in reality a massive cloud of obvious business ventures guides their incredibly unaccountable decisions. FIFA's exemption from taxes exposes one of the countless ways it creates positive financial gains while host countries seemingly escape profits. An increase in FIFA's financial security ironically decreases their legitimacy and moral leadership among participating countries. When asked about the billions of dollars they have made, the president of FIFA replied identifying it as their "reserve fund". Indeed the Brazilian government has spent over eleven billion dollars getting ready for this hosting role.

Eleven billion dollars.

Much of this was spent upgrading, renovating and constructing brand new stadiums in twelve different cities across Brazil (Holzmeister, 2014). Brazil is in not shortage of stadiums, however FIFA enforces a particular quality of arena. A one hundred and twenty five page document specifying the criterion of stadium standards can easily be found on FIFA's website. "It is questionable how necessary it is to adapt this European model to Brazil... considering the heavy amounts of tax-payer money that will be used in cities with no professional soccer whatsoever, or those without the sufficient demand to justify new stadiums (Holzmeister, 2014)". For example, Manaus (or the Jungle City) in the amazon, had to ship supplies down the river as it is almost unreachable by vehicle. New electrical and power systems were constructed for the city as the increase in population during the Copa do Mundo has the potential to override existing ones.

Appropriately named the 'FIFA Standard' has created a great magnitude of controversy and ridicule among protesters. The Brazilian governments willingness to spend absurd amounts of money on too many stadiums in the first place has generated this clever suggestion from protesters: "What about FIFA Standard hospitals and schools?"

Why is the government meeting this standard for sport infrastructures, but not in public investment for local health, education and transportation?

One local passionately expressed to me, "the only thing FIFA leaves is a big physical hole for our country to fill afterwards". As much as Brazilians love futebol they are not blind to the injustices created by hosting. Brazilians undeniably want the sport, but not its tendency to amplify inequality and poor expenditure. Therefore hosting the Copa do Mundo places Brazil on the world stage. Millions of eyes are glued to the experience and thousands more, like myself, are here in Brazil. Is there any better opportunity to expose FIFA than now?


On the first day of class these following questions were theorized and my curiosity builds with each game: if Brazil wins the Copa do Mundo will it 'justify' hosting and undermine protests? If Brazil does poorly, will it create an even greater tension in the injustices experienced? Or it will be seen as bitter protests for not succeeding once again in their own country?








Holzmeister, Antonio (2014). A brief history of soccer stadiums in Brazil. Soccer & Society, 15(1), 65-80.

Joga Bonito

It doesn’t take an expert to acknowledge creativity, although we may not fully appreciate and understand its full context or meaning, innovative works are apparent. Creativity manifests itself in countless forms and mediums. Perhaps artists, chefs, musicians and dancers have impressed you with their remarkable talents. In fact, just down the road from my apartment here in Curitiba (as almost everywhere in Curitiba), vivid and wonderful street art exhibits its colorful images for eyes to consume.

Alongside boundless graffiti, Curitiba (moreover Brazil in general) has revealed another artistic expression; futebol style. Brazilian futebol descriptors tend to encompass terms resembling breathtaking, imaginative, unique and finesse. Or, put more bluntly, fancy feet. In Franklin Foer’s 2006 novel, How Soccer Explains the World, he suggests that the “Brazilian style is more aesthetically pleasing than any other brand of play (p. 120)”. The ball seemingly develops invisibility by means of rapidly moving limbs and innovative deception techniques. In this attacking minded style elaborate footwork, a fast pace, quick decision making and individualism are rewarded. Plays then become great when futebolistas combine to create attacking formations that are new every game, unquestionably crowd pleasing. Creativity at its finest.

Is this the secret behind history’s record five Copa do Mundo (World Cup) wins Brazil holds? (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002). How did Brazil become so creative? And how does it differ from other countries styles?

Foer (2006) illuminates the Brazilian style by comparing it to literary style: understanding European as prose and contrasting Brazilian as poetry. Prose values a tighter more strategic discipline compared to poetry’s flair and playful nature. Portuguese, Brazil’s national language, expresses this as futebol resultados (play focused on results), and futebol d’arte (play for the beauty of the game). “Brazil became an international power because it played without the rigid strategic strictures of continental soccer. Positions, formations and defense weren’t valued nearly as much as spontaneity, cleverness and the scoring of goals (Foer, 2006).” If placed on a continuum one style must be sacrificed to produce the other more intensely.

Brazilians are known for their technical abilities, especially dribbling, and many attribute this to a history of capoeira. Capoeria combines martial arts alongside choreographed dance, involving great athleticism and coordination; as well as rhythm and grace. The exotic relationship between futebol and capoeira possibly illustrates how one physical sport may affect another. Others attribute Brazilian dribbling abilities to futsal. A guest lecturer from the Pontifical Catholic University of Parana spoke of this saying, “Brazilian soccer makes it different.” Futsal was developed due to a lack of available futebol fields by converting small basketball courts and hockey-like posts into the game we know today. Spatial limitations force players to rely on individual technique, ultimately developing their 1 v 1 skills.

And I got the opportunity to experience this first hand. With central Curitiba framing the futsal court, six classmates and I started a pickup game on the peeling concrete encased in fencing and overhead nets. 

Spectators began to gather as we played; drawing their curiosity with our American appearances and holding it with our free and jubilant play. Our audience slowly crept closer from the park benches to the fence openings. Several local boys looking extraordinarily keen were invited to play, and soon enough we had a rotation of three teams contesting for King’s Court. Individuals joined without hesitation the minute they got ‘the wave’ or ‘the nod’, literally jumping out of their seats like hot kernels. Wearing jeans and hoodies (this is winter in Brazil after all), and one particular boy in bare feet, they turned our game into an extraordinary show of style. The moment the locals joined, the game transformed. I now understand the statement ‘they play futebol as if it were a dance’. Our passing and defensive discipline looked foolish and sloppy compared to the new intensity that entertained the court. Daring moves, like my favorite the caneta (or nutmeg), were successfully and quite easily executed. Brazilians have created a “whole new set of conventions for the game: passes with the back of the heel, an array of head and hip fakes, the bicycle kick (Foer, 2006).” My poor Portuguese did not affect my team’s communication once the game started, as a mutual appreciation for the game and each other generated easy coordination. After two hours and sufficient amounts of sweat a Brazilian girl, the only girl besides Shalla, Anna and myself, also joined. Thinking back, I wonder if she would have played if we were not there…

I learnt a lot about my playing style that day on the futsal concrete, but the biggest lesson of all was that the finesse of the Brazilians can only be used when tricks are perfected; because practicality of most futebol situations overrule the aesthetic appeal of a tricky move. The safest way is usually not the prettiest, but it gets the job done – to score goals. However, trying new moves will only make you better and the time a trick is successful, the feeling is definitely worth it.

Foer, Franklin (2006). How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization. New York, NY, HarperCollins Publishers.

I am reveling in South American culture. More specifically, in overwhelming passion; the mythical creature fashioned by North American media regarding a hooligan’s desire for the beautiful game is now my reality. It is unparalleled alongside meek Canadian soccer, or ‘futebol’. Communal adulation fuels every street, casa, coffee shop, and pub with undeniably even more devotion due to the upcoming Copa do Mundo (World Cup), as it is hosted here in Curitiba, Brazil.

When you think of the Copa do Mundo and futebol in general, what first comes to mind? The sheer grandness of the event? Enthusiastic supporters endlessly declaring their love for their country, until somehow the referee cheated them from potential triumph? Which players appear in your mind?

                               *                                             *                                          *

In any of the above questions did you think of the female side of futebol?

In the midst with Brazil’s mutual adoration of futebol, I exemplify a clear and decisive minority. The female role continues to be traditionally defined in this nation, where being a female futebol supporter, particularly a player, is as uncommon as snow. Sport is unquestionably a male institution, thus playing and perhaps becoming successful would be considered a revolutionary idea in the almost exclusively male dominated sport. (To be clear, I am by no means claiming the non-existence of female Brazilian futebol supporters and players, rather I am trying to emphasize the minority stake females hold in this futebol nation.)

Now the question is, why? Why are the parks filled entirely with young boys playing pickup soccer, and not young girls? What makes girls and women elude the sport that carries incredible amounts of importance and passion with the opposite sex?

This could potentially arise from a fear of stigmatization that co-exists alongside females and achieving success in sport; ultimately being labeled unfeminine. When you think of a Brazilian girl, what first comes to mind? Perhaps Marta, but more likely something to the effect of a brunette beach beauty. Blinde and Taub (1992) explain that as the “behaviour of woman athletes is often interpreted to violate gender norms, women athletes are frequently devalued and stigmatized.” In fact, “women engaging in non-traditional gender behaviours capable of enhancing opportunities and self-actualization are subjected to various forms of social stigmatization and control” (Blinde & Taub, 1992). As women venture into this male-formed institution participation in futebol may lead to struggles with both ridicule and exclusion; indeed assisting in subordination and restriction of female’s roles and potentials. An inferiority complex emerges in terms of hierarchy, funding, following, and opportunities available. The beach beauty exemplifying the feminine standard overpowers many decisions to stray from the norm in fear of potential culturally induced tensions.

As the Copa do Mundo commences I urge you to take note on the portrayal of feminine characteristics, and to create your own standard of what it truly means to be a futebol supporter. Take in every moment from the Copa, but have a healthy skepticism about prescribed notions the media renders as conventional ‘norms’.

Blinde, E. M., and Taub, D. E. (1992). Women athletes as falsely accused deviants: Managing the Lesbian Stigma. The Sociological Quarterly, (33):4, 521-533.