Even the beloved pastime is under fire. Many national soccer venues were crumbling relics until FIFA required upgrades for the World Cup. Purists grumble about high ticket prices and schedules juggled to suit television.

Against these challenges, Rousseff is determined to move the country forward, with big spending on athletic contests as her opening gambit.

After the global economy contracted sharply in 2007-08, Brazil slipped into recession but emerged after two quarters. In the International Monetary Fund's ranking of countries by nominal gross domestic product, it moved ahead of the United Kingdom in 2011 into sixth place. Many economists believe the economy, bolstered by a strong currency, developing offshore oil reserves and a healthy global commodities market, will surpass France's this year and propel Brazil into fifth place.

Analysts in the U.S. and Europe hailed Rousseff's latest spending plans as positive moves that will stimulate growth and attract investment.

At home, critics say the programs are based on megaprojects that often are designed with minimal public input and little fiscal oversight.

Celio Bermann, an engineering professor at the University of São Paulo, pointed out earlier this year that five firms involved in a host of big projects—Grupo Andrade Gutierrez SA, Camargo Corrêa SA, Queiroz Galvão SA, Grupo OAS and Odebrecht SA—were all heavy contributors to Rousseff's 2010 political campaign.

If Rousseff is able to bring home the gold, it will be thanks to a team effort.