How a Syrian Refugee Fled to Brazil And Wound Up Translating the World Cup

When Ali Jeratli arrived in São Paulo in February 2014, the Syrian refugee understood just one word of Portuguese: bem-vindo (welcome). He had no contacts, no guidebook, and no more than $700 to make a new start after fleeing the war in his homeland.

But the outgoing Jeratli, then 26, possessed resourcefulness, determination — and a bit of luck. The first month he was in Brazil, a friendly conversation at a bar led to an invitation to live with a Brazilian family at their house on the city outskirts.

Within a few months, Jeratli, one of more than 2,000 Syrians granted asylum...

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