After Brazil's elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a wave of social media criticism targeted the evangelical Christian faith of several players, with some fans arguing the team performed better when its players "behaved like Catholics." The backlash reflects broader tensions in Latin America, where Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity — faith traditions emphasising direct personal experiences of God, spiritual gifts, and healing — now counts some 105 million adherents in Brazil alone. Scholars note the blame is likely misplaced: Brazil won the 2002 World Cup with openly evangelical players on the squad, and the team's recent struggles predate any shift in players' religious affiliations.