On July 8, 2014, Rim and her family were bracing themselves for the nailbiter World Cup semi-final match between Brazil and Germany. They were all decked out in green and yellow jerseys in their living room in Abu Dhabi, only to be shocked by Brazil’s crushing loss to Germany: 7-1.

How do so many Arabs like Rim and her family become such dedicated fans of Brazil’s football team? Dive into this historic World Cup moment and follow the sentimental thread that ties spectators to a culture that’s so far, yet so near and dear to their hearts.

Home and Away is a Kerning Cultures Network production.