Brazilian fans link World Cup loss to Norway with decline in Catholic players

Brazil lost 2-1 to Norway in a World Cup match, prompting a wave of commentary on social media that blamed the defeat on the team's religious makeup. Users noted that in 2002, when Brazil last won the tournament, about 80 % of the population were Catholics, whereas today roughly 55 % are Catholic and the proportion of evangelical Christians has risen to over 25 %. The current squad includes at least 20 evangelical players out of 26, among them Neymar and newcomer Endrick, who thanked God after a missed chance. A Brazilian journalist argued that the team needs a “Catholic guilt” to regain its former success, recalling the 1970 golden generation when all members were Catholic. The discussion reflects broader concerns about cultural and religious shifts within Brazilian football.