RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - A new poll in Brazil shows less support among citizens than ever for hosting this year’s World Cup.
The Datafolha polling group says 52 percent of respondents favor Brazil hosting the event. That’s down from 79 percent support during the same poll in 2008.
Brazilians are frustrated with the billions spent to host the World Cup, money that many would rather see spent to improve hospitals, schools and infrastructure.
The money being spent for the World Cup was one focus of anti-government protests last June.
Support for ongoing protests has also plummeted to 52 percent, down from 81 percent in June, according to the poll.
Datafolha interviewed 2,614 people across Brazil on Feb. 19 and 20. The margin of error is 2 percentage points.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.