With less than a month until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on 11 June, enthusiasm among Brazilians remains surprisingly muted, with surveys suggesting two-thirds of the country's fans do not believe their team can win the tournament. The malaise partly reflects 24 years without a World Cup title, as well as broader disillusionment with the commercialisation and corruption associated with modern football — themes that students in the Pinheiros district of São Paulo recently incorporated into a mural painted on their school's façade. The return of veteran forward Neymar to the national squad has generated some excitement, though even that has been met with scepticism by younger fans, while commentators note that in an election year, a deep Brazilian run could provide a rare moment of national unity.