World Cup kicks off in style as stadium shines
(From left) US singer Jennifer Lopez, US rapper Pitbull and Brazilian pop singer Claudia Leitte take part in the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on Thursday, June 12, 2014, prior to the opening Group A football match between Brazil and Croatia. AFP PHOTO/PEDRO UGARTE
SAO PAULO, Brazil—With all of the issues and questions leading up to the World Cup, Itaquerao Stadium shined under blue skies as Brazil kicked off its home World Cup with a football-style carnival.
Jennifer Lopez, rapper Pitbull and Brazilian pop star Claudia Leitte bounced around a giant stage resembling a peeled melon singing “We Are One” on Brazil’s Valentine’s Day.
Brazil is ready to samba, and plans to teach the world to join in for the coming month during soccer’s showcase tournament.
The soccer-crazed country hoped Thursday’s Croatia-Brazil opener would just be the start of a run to extend its record to six World Cup wins.
The field was covered in for the opening ceremony, which cost $8 million, or about $18 million Brazilian reais.–JANIE Mccauley
RELATED STORIES
Police and World Cup protesters clash in Brazil
J.Lo, ‘Iron Man’ suit star in World Cup extravaganza
