1938 World Cup: Soccer, Politics and Brazilian National Identity

Abstract

In this article, we discuss the 1938’s World Cup addressing the relationship between national identity and soccer games. We identified discussions, during President Getúlio Vargas’ government, about nationalism, brazilianess and national identity providing strength with government initiatives to form Brazil as a nation. The construction of national identity had contributions by intellectuals and the press, in addition to the State efforts to create an authentic and singular Brazil, far from European standards. Generally, soccer game started to be seen as a symbol of Brazilian nationalism, element of reaffirming the brazilianess reaffirmation. The study covered the period from 1930 to 1938, with emphasis on the 1938’s World Cup, performed in France.