A sea of ??streamers and mini Brazilian flags flutters over Freedom Alley, one of the myriad narrow streets that criss-cross Rio de Janeiro’s largest favela, Rocinha, which decks itself out in World Cup glory every four years.

But residents vetoed a graffiti portrait of superstar Neymar – a supporter of outgoing President Jair Bolsonaro – and scaled back the usual green and yellow after the national colors were associated with the far right in a divisive election Wounds many Brazilians hope The power of football is now helping to heal them.

“The flag is ours. We cheer our country. It has nothing to do with politics,” says Marcela Fadini Moreira, the 41-year-old teacher who organized Freedom Alley’s entry to the four-yearly World Cup street decoration competition in Rocinha.

Still, last month’s bitter election – in which Bolsonaro narrowly lost to veteran leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva – had implications for the look of her street decorations for Qatar-2022, where the country of Pele, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho seeks a record-extending sixth Title.

“People didn’t want us to paint Neymar because he supported Bolsonaro in the elections,” says Moreira.

So instead, she and her fellow volunteer decorators created a graffiti mural of hometown hero Pedro, a forward for the national team and local club Flamengo.

They also added blue and white streamers to the usual green and yellow, downvoting the colors adopted by Bolsonaro, who urged supporters to wear the Brazil national team jersey to vote in October’s elections.

Further up the hill covered by the sprawling slum, other murals depict national team players and the 2022 World Cup mascot, La’eeb.

A group of youngsters juggle a soccer ball in a circle, demonstrating the skill that has made Brazil famous for the ‘beautiful game’.

But World Cup enthusiasm has waned somewhat this year, says community leader Eliezer Oliveira, following the carnage of the coronavirus pandemic, an economic crisis and polarizing elections.

“Not a lot of people were excited about decorating the streets this year,” says Oliveira, 57.

He hopes that will change if Brazil shine in Qatar.

“After all the troubles we’re going through, Brazil’s renewed championship title would put a smile on our faces again,” he says, proudly wearing the “Selecao” jersey.

Brazil are becoming increasingly gripped by World Cup fever as the five-time champions prepare for the start of their campaign against Serbia on Thursday.

The usual explosion of flags, banners, balls and other national team-themed decorations have arrived, albeit a little late, in bars, restaurants, shops and streets across the country.

In the Vila Medeiros neighborhood of Sao Paulo, Jadson Paixao decided to keep alive the tradition of decorating his street with his childhood friends.

“It’s great when people can enjoy the World Cup and forget about the election,” says the 35-year-old Uber driver.

“Politics is politics. Football is football.”

There is now a movement to reclaim the colors of the flag as the national symbol, rather than those of the extreme right.

Lula, who will be sworn in as president on January 1, has launched a campaign for this: “Green and yellow are the colors of everyone who loves and supports the country.”

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has also stepped in with an ad aimed at depoliticizing the national team’s kit and reconnecting with fans.

“The World Cup is a time of unity,” said CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues.

“Football cannot live without the fans. Our aim is to connect people of all ages, locations, colours, races, ideologies and religions with football.”

How well that succeeds could depend on how well things are going on the pitch.

“If Brazil wins, everyone will want to wear the national team shirt again,” 47-year-old Sao Paulo businessman Fabio Vassalo Grande told AFP in Qatar.

“Football is happiness for Brazilians.”