From lucky socks to the sofa: the main superstitions at the World Cup
Is anything worth trying to give the Brazilian team a "help"? For many fans, the answer is yes. In addition to their passion for football, many carry with them a special ingredient: superstitions.
Although there is no scientific proof that certain habits can influence the outcome of a match, it is common for fans to develop rituals that they believe bring luck to their teams.
In the 2026 World Cup, the hope for the long-awaited six-time championship seems to have not died for many fans. According to recent data from the Quaest national survey, 35% of Brazilians believe in Brazil's title at this World Cup, an increase of 10% compared to the survey released in April this year.
In this climate of expectation, there is no shortage of those who resort to popular rituals and beliefs in an attempt to "help" Brazil lift the trophy and bring home the hexa. So, check out some of the most popular superstitions during the World Cups.
Wearing the lucky shirt
One of the most common traditions among football fans is to always wear the same shirt during national team games. Many believe that the piece used in an important victory should be kept in subsequent clashes to preserve "positive energy".
There are those who go further and even avoid washing their shirts during the entire competition, fearing that their accumulated luck will be taken away along with the soap and water.
Always sitting in the same place
Another widespread habit is to occupy exactly the same place during each game. Whether on the sofa at home, in a specific chair at the bar or in a reserved corner in the stands, many fans believe that changing position can change the team's fortunes.
Repeat the victory ritual
If a certain routine coincides with a victory, it can quickly turn into an obligatory ritual. Some fans start to repeat the same lunch, use the same accessories or even follow exactly the same route to the place where they will watch the game.
Avoid commenting on the result before the match
Many football fans believe that predicting a victory or talking about a possible defeat can be "bad luck". Therefore, they prefer to avoid optimistic predictions before kickoff.
Lucky charms and objects
Bracelets, lucky socks, religious medals, colorful ribbons and keychains tend to gain space on World Cup days. For some fans, these objects function as amulets capable of attracting good energy to the team.
Don't watch penalties
The tension of penalty shootouts is so great that some fans simply can't look at the screen. Interestingly, many believe that turning your back, leaving the room, or closing your eyes increases the team's chances of success.
Don't shout goal before the ball goes in
The belief is that anticipating the celebration can "zip" the play and cause the attacker to miss the chance or the opposing goalkeeper to make an unlikely save. Therefore, during the World Cup, it is not uncommon to see fans holding their breath until the goal is confirmed, only to then release all the accumulated emotion.
Making promises in exchange for victory
Promising to stop eating a certain food, cutting your hair only after winning the title or carrying out some specific action in case of victory is also part of the universe of sports superstitions.
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Source: CNN