Brazil’s Troubles Take Stage at Start of World Cup

1 minute read

In just one day’s time, all eyes will be on Brazil as the 2014 World Cup soccer tournament begins. An estimated 3.7 million tourists are expected to descend upon the country over the next month, providing a short-term boost to the Brazilian economy. But the event’s impact on the people of Brazil—and the troubles they face every day—can’t go unnoticed. Getty photographer Mario Tama has captured the displacement and crime Brazilians have faced before the games, and will continue to face after the final goal is scored.

Rio's Famed Maracana Stadium
Rio's iconic Maracana Stadium is lit at dusk behind a favela on December 10, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Rio's Pacified Favelas Face Challenges Ahead Of World Cup
A boy shows off his soccer skills in the Complexo do Alemao pacified favela on March 23, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Brazil Struggles With Crack Epidemic
Drug users gather beneath an overpass in an area known as 'Cracolandia', or Crackland, in the Antares shantytown on December 10, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Federal Forces Occupy Mare Favela Complex
Residents look on as Brazilian military police officers patrol in the unpacified Complexo da Mare, one of the largest favela complexes in Rio, on March 30, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Funeral Held For Rio Resident Killed In Favela Violence
Mourners gather over the body of dancer Douglas Rafael da Silva at his funeral, after he was shot and killed, on April 24, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Rio's Pacified Favelas Face Challenges Ahead Of World Cup
A woman kisses a baby in the Cantagalo shantytown community on March 28, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Rio Favela Overlooks Maracana World Cup Stadium
A trash fire burns due to the lack of government assistance of trash disposal in the Mangueira favela, which overlooks the famed Maracana Stadium on June 5, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Five Percent Favela Reduction Plan Upends Rio Communities
A woman hangs laundry next to the remains of demolished homes in the Metro Mangueira favela, located near Maracana stadium, on May 22, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Rio's Complexo da Mare Favelas Remain Unpacified
Resident Leiticia stands in an impoverished area in the unpacified Complexo da Mare slum complex, one of the largest favela complexes in Rio, on March 18, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Rio Favela Overlooks Maracana World Cup Stadium
A boy looks out for a fallen kite as kids fly kites in the Mangueira favela which overlooks famed Maracana Stadium on June 5, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Rio De Janeiro Gears Up For Carnival Celebration
Revelers play soccer in the Cantagalo shantytown community next to neighboring Pavao-Pavaozinho on February 22, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Sao Paulo Prepares For Start Of World Cup
Residents from a nearby community gather while catching a glimpse outside Itaquerao stadium, also known as Arena de Sao Paulo and Arena Corinthians, on June 8, 2014 in Sao Paulo.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Five Percent Favela Reduction Plan Upends Rio Communities
A bulldozer sits by where homes formerly stood in the Manguinhos community on May 27, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Rio's Pacified Favelas Face Challenges Ahead Of World Cup
A child plays on a swing in the Prazeres pacified favela community on March 22, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Rio To Revamp Port District Ahead Of Olympics
A girl stands outside the main entrance to a formerly deserted building which is currently home to 82 families who occupy the building in the port district on November 3, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Communal Wedding Held in Rio Favela
Boys play on a trampoline before the start of a communal marriage ceremony in the Mangueira pacified favela on November 9, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Community Wedding Held In Rio's Jacarezinho Favela
Young family members wait to enter a communal marriage ceremony in the Jacarezinho pacified favela, on January 17, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Daily Life In Rio De Janeiro
Drums queen Thalia Cristina walks into an office space at a Jacarezinho samba school practice session ahead of Carnival celebrations on February 16, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Brazil Celebrates National Day Of Samba
Performer Agatha Rosa with Grupo Orunmila applies her makeup before dancing at National Day of Samba celebrations at Pedra do Sal in the port district, on December 2, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Five Percent Favela Reduction Plan Upends Rio Communities
A man bathes from a small hose amongst the remains of demolished homes in the Metro Mangueira favela, located near Maracana stadium, on May 22, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Easter Celebrated In Brazil Shanty Town
People gather by a makeshift weight set outside the Capela Nossa Senhora de Fatima which held Easter Mass during Semana Santa (Holy Week) in the Cantagalo shanty town community on April 20, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Five Percent Favela Reduction Plan Upends Rio Communities
Kids play in dirt from construction in an area where homes were torn down in the Manguinhos community on May 27, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Five Percent Favela Reduction Plan Upends Rio Communities
Twins Wendy (R) and Isis Guimaraes (L) pose in front of their home which remains standing in an area where homes were torn down in the Manguinhos community on May 27, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images
Five Percent Favela Reduction Plan Upends Rio Communities
A boy stands on a roof near the remains of demolished homes in the Metro Mangueira favela, located near Maracana stadium, on May 22, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro.Mario Tama—Getty Images

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