Most Brazilians against World Cup

Less than half of Brazilians favour the nation’s hosting of the World Cup in June, with a majority in the football-crazed nation believing that the tournament will do more harm than good, a poll reveals.

Just 48% of Brazilians support hosting the event, down from 52% in February and dropping below 50% for the first time, a survey by Datafolha found, though the company said the difference was within its margin of error.

The approval rate has dropped from a high of 79% in November 2008, a year after Brazil was selected, amid cost overruns, deadly construction accidents and concern that delays in building stadiums and airports in 12 cities could embarrass the country on the international stage.