As the players take to the field, London-based photographer Kane Hulse meets the official (and unofficial) merchandise sellers plying their wares on Brazil’s streets in this exclusive photo story
Prior to the opening match, it was clear how much this tournament meant to the Brazilian players as they cried, shouted and winced in emotion throughout their national anthem. Every conceivable item was doused in yellow and green to create a carnival atmosphere as we made our way from the airport through the streets, listening to our host intensely describe to us the protest he had witnessed that morning, in opposition to the event we had just travelled 22 hours to attend.
As it happened we witnessed only a tame protest comprising 20 people. However, there was an insularity evident in those who weren’t ecstatic to host the ‘Copa Mundial’ and the majority of Brazilians we spoke to, though jubilant to entertain the world’s greatest sport in its pinnacle event, held reservations about the public spending behind it. Brazil’s triumphant history and romantic ability to entertain on the pitch, alongside the realisation of the magnitude a successful World Cup represents, appears to have calmed the visible resentment towards public spending in the host cities. We spoke to those hoping to benefit from the 2014 Brazil World Cup…
Your name? Vagner.
Where are you from? Natal.
Who do you think will win the World Cup? Brazil!
Do you think that the world cup is good or bad for Brazil? It’s a great thing for Brazil, it will bring a lot of tourists and investment to our country.
Do you think that Brazil should be spending this much money on the World Cup? For sure, we want the best world cup ever. The country has been invested in and they have built up important infrastructure.
Do you think Brazil will benefit from the World Cup? It might not be visible now, but in the long term yes.
What do you think about the working conditions here? Not great.
What’s your favourite World Cup moment? When Roberto Baggio missed his penalty in 1994 to win it for us.
Your name? Jonny.
Where are you from? Fortaleza.
Who do you think will win the world cup? Brazil of course.
Do you think that the world cup is good or bad for Brazil? Good in the sense that it brings investment and new, exciting people.
Do you think that Brazil should be spending this much money on the world cup? Yes, we need to show we can put on a spectacular show and impress the world, which I think we will do.
Do you think that Brazil will benefit from the World Cup? Maybe, though I’m not sure we will all benefit from it.
What do you think about the working conditions here? They should be improved, they’re not the best at the moment.
What’s your favourite world cup moment? At the time of a goal!!
Your name? Rafael.
Where are you from? Fortaleza.
Do you think that Brazil can win the World Cup? Yes we will.
Do you think that the World Cup is good for Brazil? In general, of course it’s good for Brazil, but it has highlighted problems.
Do you think that Brazil should be spending this much money on the World Cup? Yes, if it’s used in the right way.
Do you think that Brazil will benefit from the World Cup? From a personal view, business is slightly better. I think we should judge it in a few years.
What do you think about the working conditions here? They’re still the same – not very good.
What’s your favourite ever World Cup moment? Ronaldinho’s free kick against England!
Your name? Guilherme.
Where are you from? Ceara.
Who do you think will win the World Cup? Brazil or Germany.
Do you think that the World Cup is good for Brazil? It’s good for bringing tourists into the country and certain aspects within Brazil have improved.
Do you think that Brazil should be spending this much money on the world cup? I think we should spend this money on healthcare and improving the lives of people who live here.
Do you think that Brazil will benefit from the World Cup? In small ways, but not in comparison to the amount of money spent.
What do you think about the working conditions here? Here in Ceara they are okay, but in other parts, the conditions are a lot worse.
Who is your money on for top scorer? Leo Messi.
Your name? David.
Where are you from? Salvador.
Do you think that Brazil can win the World Cup? Yes.
Do you think that the world cup is good for Brazil? The World Cup brings in many people and makes us the centre of attention which is a good thing.
Do you think that Brazil should be spending this much money on the World Cup? We should have spent less, but then, should the World Cup be held in places like Qatar just because they have the money?
Do you think that Brazil will benefit from the world cup? The poor people will benefit in token amounts compared to the more affluent people.
What do you think about the working conditions here? It’s tough. They’ve tried to hide the real conditions from visitors.
Who do you think will win the golden boot? Neymar or Van Persie.
Your name? Luma Freire.
Where are you from? Santarem, Para.
Do you think Brazil will win the World Cup? Yes!
Do you think that the World Cup is good or bad for Brazil? There are benefits, however there are even bigger negatives…
Do you think that Brazil should be spending this much money on the World Cup? No way should we be spending this much!
Do you think that Brazil will benefit from the World Cup? In some aspects yes: tourism for example. However in general, no, we will not benefit.
What do you think about the working conditions here? Here in the FIFA fun fest they are excellent, but out there in the rest of Brazil, they are not good.
What is your favourite ever world cup moment? The game when Brazil become 2014 champions!
Your name? Rodolfo Nojosa Silva.
Where are you from? Sao Paulo.
Do you think that Brazil can win the World Cup? Yes, certainly!
Do you think that the World Cup is good or bad for Brazil? It is good in terms of improving stadia and tourism in Brazil, but bad for education and health projects .
Do you think that Brazil should be spending this much money on the World Cup? Yes I do.
Do you think that Brazil will benefit from the World Cup? In terms of tourism, parties and festivals, yes.
What do you think about the working conditions here? Where I work, they’re ideal.
Whats your favourite ever World Cup moment? When Brazil scores a goal from nothing.
