Football, or soccer, is the most popular sport in Brazil. They hosted the 2014World Cup. Brazil has won the FIFA World Cup five times, in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002. The Brazilian national team is often called “Seleção” which means “those who are elected.” Brazil also has a united football team, Confederação Brasileira de Futebol, or CBF. This football association was founded in 1914. Football began in Brazil when a British citizen opened a football school in Sao Paolo. Football became more and more popular, and now it is the the national sport of Brazil.
In addition to winning the FIFA World Cup, the Brazilian soccer team has also won several other prestigious football competitions, including the Copa America. Several Brazilian soccer players are known worldwide, such as Pele (Edison Arantes do Nascimento), Pele managed to take the Brazilian national team to win the World Cup three times in 1958, 1962 and 1970. In addition to Pele, other well-known national players are Ronaldo Pele, Bebeto, Romario, and Neymar.
Football has a huge influence on the culture in Brazil. If you come to Brazil, you will see many people playing football in the streets. Because football is synonymous with Brazil, there are several football museums. Sao Paolo is home to one of them, Sao Paulo Museu do Futebol. This museum has photos and displays about the history and legends of Brazilian football, including trophies.
Confederação Brasileira de Futebol or CBF is a football tournament held every season. Several competitions are held:
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
Campeonato Brasileiro Série is the highest division, with 20 teams. The tournament is held from December to May each year. Teams with the lowest accumulated score will go down directly to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B.
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série B
Campeonato Brasileiro Série B, or Série B, is the second division. This competition is also often called as “Taça de Prata.” The team with the lowest score will automatically go down to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C and the one with the highest score will go up to Serie A. Serie A and Serie B use a double round-robin system.
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série C and Série D
Clubs that enter into Série C have the lowest score from series B and the club with the lowest score of Série C goes down to Série D is a club. Série C and Série D are for clubs who come from smaller areas.
- Copa do Brasil
Copa do Brasil is also known as the Brazilian Cup. It is a football match with knockout, played by 86 football clubs that represent 26 regions in Brazil. This match is usually held from February to November.
If you are traveling over to Brazil then call us for your travel medical insurance. One of our professional international insurance agents will be glad to serve you. Or call us at 480-633-9500 or our toll free number at 866-636-9100. We have an email of in case you want to email us your request. Many of our agents and staff have lived and served overseas for many years. In fact the founder of Good Neighbor Insurance (GNI) lived overseas for 32 years in Indonesia. His sons were born and raised in Indonesia until graduation from high school at Jakarta International School in Indonesia.