More than half of Brazilians have no interest in the World Cup in Russia, according to an opinion poll on Tuesday, despite the country's stellar history at the championship.
Fifty-three per cent are treating the World Cup, which starts on Thursday, with a giant shrug, the Datafolha poll found. That was up from 42 per cent in January, possibly reflecting a steady diet of bad news about the economy, corruption scandals, and a truckers' strike that brought the country to a standstill for more than week in May.
The respected pollsters reported that this was the most tepid build-up to a cup since the question was first posed in 1994.
The least interested in the upcoming action in Russia were women (61 per cent), people aged between 35 and 44 (57 per cent), and those living in the south of the country (59 per cent).
Brazil go to their opening game against Switzerland on Sunday with high confidence after an impressive series of qualifiers and warm-ups.
Many believe that Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and company can bring home the trophy for a record sixth time. Brazil is already the record holder with five titles.
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Our take: Cup fever fails to grip a Brazil dealing with bigger problems
The hangover from the semi-final capitulation is still felt across the country, but it is particularly apparent in the city in which it happened. Traditionally here, kerbs are painted green and yellow, bunting is hung from the telephone poles, walls are covered in patriotic, football-related graffiti.
Today, with less than a week until hosts Russia open the tournament against Saudi Arabia, the city of 2.5 million appears as normal.
"Look around" says Jaiderson Santos, sweat dripping down his face from playing seven-a-side at the local Castelão football centre. "There is no excitement. Nothing.
"We’re playing football, we love football, but nobody is talking about the World Cup. Brazilians just have too many other problems to consider now.”
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Read more on the 2018 World Cup:
Neymar attraction for spectators at the Brazil World Cup training camp
Guides, predictions, podcasts, galleries and where to watch in the UAE
Group E guide: Brazil find themselves less reliant on Neymar in Russia
My favourite World Cup moment: The Ronaldo mystery at France 98
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(All games 4-3pm kick UAE time) Bayern Munich v Augsburg, Borussia Dortmund v Bayer Leverkusen, Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin, Wolfsburg v Mainz , Eintracht Frankfurt v Freiburg, Union Berlin v RB Leipzig, Cologne v Schalke , Werder Bremen v Borussia Monchengladbach, Stuttgart v Arminia Bielefeld
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MATCH DETAILS
Barcelona 0
Slavia Prague 0
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
MATCH INFO
Borussia Dortmund 0
Bayern Munich 1 (Kimmich 43')
Man of the match: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery
Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount
University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China
Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai
Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China
Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs
UAE v United States, T20 International Series
Both matches at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free.
1st match: Friday, 2pm
2nd match: Saturday, 2pm
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Amjad Gul, CP Rizwan, Mohammed Boota, Abdul Shakoor, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat
USA squad: Saurabh Netravalkar (captain), Jaskaran Malhotra, Elmore Hutchinson, Aaron Jones, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Jannisar Khan, Xavier Marshall, Monank Patel, Timil Patel, Roy Silva, Jessy Singh, Steven Taylor, Hayden Walsh
