May 22, 2014: 6:44 AM ET

Hosting the World Cup might provide a small boost to Brazil, but it won’t be enough to snap the country’s economy out of its current funk.

Once tipped as one of the brightest emerging economies, Brazil has seen growth fall off a cliff in recent quarters as long-term problems bubbled to the surface. Its workers are unproductive, infrastructure spending lags and protectionism remains in vogue.

Elevated inflation has forced the central bank to hike rates several times, and the country’s credit rating was cut by Standard & Poor’s to one notch above junk in March.

Brazil’s Bovespa stock market index has dropped more than 7% in the past year, falling faster than emerging market benchmarks.

Enter the World Cup, the world’s biggest sporting event complete with millions of tourists and mega corporate sponsors.

To capitalize on the spotlight, Brazil is spending an estimated $11.5 billion on new stadiums, transportation and airports. Seeking to justify the extravagance, politicians promised that the event would bring huge economic benefits and improved infrastructure.