Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

One-quarter of Russians believe that Russia will play in the final game of the Football Championship this year.

MOSCOW, June 17, 2014. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information describing how many Russians will watch the 2014 FIFA World Championship; how Russian team will perform; and which team will win the championship.

Forty-one percent of Russians are interested in the World Cup: 19% will follow the broadcasts; 22% will watch the games where Russia participates. Two years ago the share of Russians who were going to watch the European Championship was 42% (2012). Most of TV spectators will be men (62%) and Russians aged 18-24 (48%). Most of sport fans (90%) will watch the games at home (in the city or at dacha). Others will go to friends (12%), to the sports bar or café (6%).

Seventy-eight of respondents will support the Russian team; 23% will support the Brazilian team; others will support Spain (10%), Germany (9%), Italy (7%) and other countries. Certain respondents (9%) will simply watch the game; they do not choose any country to support.

One-quarter of Russians (25%) say that Russian team will qualify for the Final: 12% of respondents say that this country will participate the Final; 13% say that Russia will win. In 2004 only 4% of respondents said that Russia will be the European champion. Eighteen percent of Russians are confident that Russia will take part in the quarterfinals. Seven percent of respondents are skeptical; they say that Russian team will fail to get out of the group stage.

The number of Russians who believe in the Russian team has increased since the previous World Cup. When asked without prompting what country would be a winner, 18% of Russians say that the winner will be Russia (only 10% in 2002). Sixteen percent of Russians believe that the winner will be Brazil; not too many respondents believe that other country may win the Championship (4% mention Germany; 4% - Spain, et cet) One half of respondents (52%) refuse to answer who will be the winner.

The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on June 7-8, 2014. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 communities in 42 regions of Russia. Data are weighted by gender, age, education, working status and type of settlement.  The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.

Will you watch the 2014 World Cup translations?

(closed-ended question, one answer)

 

2008 *

2012 *

2014

I will watch regularly the football broadcasts

22

16

19

I will watch only broadcasts with  Russian team

26

26

22

I will not follow the championship

34

52

54

I did not know about the championship; I did not think about it 

12

3

3

Don`t know

6

3

2

*In 2008 and 2012 the question referred to the European Championship

Where will you watch the 2014 World Cup translations?

 (closed-ended question, not more than three answers,

% of those who will watch the 2014 World Cup translations )

 

2012 *

2014

At home/dacha

88

90

At friends` house

8

12

Sport bar, restaurant, bar

8

6

Screen in public place (square, cinema, club)  

3

3

I will listen to the radio broadcasts

3

3

At stadium, in Brazil

<1

<1

Other

3

1

Don`t know; not decided

7

5

* In 2012 the question referred to the European Championship

If you watch the World Cup, what national teams will you support?

(Open-ended question, not more than three answers, % of those who will watch the 2014 World Cup translations; shown are answers that gained not less than 1%)

 

Total

Russia

78

Brazil

23

Spain

10

Germany

9

Italy

7

England

4

Portugal

3

France

3

Argentine

2

Belorussia

2

Netherlands

1

Canada

1

USA

1

Ukraine

1

Uruguay

1

Other

2

None

9

Don`t know

6

In your opinion, how Russian team will perform at the 2014 FIFA World Cup?

(closed-ended question, one answer)

 

2004 *

2008 *

2012*

2014

It will not get out of the group stage

15

5

6

7

It will reach the quarterfinals

17

13

17

18

It will rich the semifinals

12

11

18

19

It will qualify for the final

6

14

15

12

It will become the world champion

4

15

12

13

Don`t know

47

41

31

31

* In 2004, 2008 and 2012 the question referred to the European Championship

In your opinion, which team will win the Football Championship?

(Open-ended question, one answer, shown are answers that gained not less than 1%)

 

2002

2014

Russia

10

18

Brazil

11

16

Germany

3

4

Spain

1

4

England

3

1

Italy

8

1

Argentine

7

1

Portugal

1

1

Other

9

2

Don`t know

47

52

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!

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