Fifty-three per cent are treating the World Cup, which starts Thursday, with a giant shrug, the Datafolha poll found. That was up from 42% in January, possibly reflecting a steady diet of bad news about the economy, corruption scandals, and a truckers’ strike that brought the country to a standstill for more than a week in May.

The respected pollsters reported that this was the most tepid build-up to a cup since the question was first posed in 1994.

The least interested in the upcoming action in Russia were women (61%), people aged between 35 and 44 (57%), and those living in the south of the country (59%).

Brazil goes to their opening game against Switzerland on Sunday with high confidence after an impressive series of qualifiers and warm-ups.

Many believe that Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and company can bring home the trophy for a record sixth time. Brazil is already the record holder with five titles.