Travelex, which has run out of the currency at Heathrow and Manchester airports, says demand for the real has increased more than 1000 per cent.

The Post Office, meanwhile, says demand is up 400 per cent on last year.

Speaking to BBC 5live, Elvin Eldić, head of UK retail at Travelex, said: “Being one of the few FX [foreign exchange] providers who stock the Brazilian real we are seeing unprecedented levels of demand… As a result, we are currently experiencing a temporary shortage at our Travelex stores in both Heathrow and Manchester airports.”

Andrew Brown, from Post Office Travel Money, told the BBC: “Post Office has seen an unprecedented demand for Brazilian real this week with a sales increase of over 400 per cent on the same time last year. This has resulted in a temporary lack of availability in our branches. However, stocks will be replenished by the weekend in time for fans travelling to Brazil for England’s first match.

“We recommend that anyone travelling to Brazil should pre-order currency in advance at any of our 11,500 branches or online at postoffice.co.uk. It is also advisable to take a small mix of US dollars which are widely accepted throughout the country.”