-
The Brazilian flag is seen at the base of the statue of the Christ the Redeemer on top of Corcovado hill in Rio de Janeiro on June 12, 2014.Ben Stansall—AFP/Getty Images
-
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony prior to the FIFA World Cup 2014 group A preliminary round match between Brazil and Croatia at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014.Mauricio Duenas—EPA
-
A dancer performs during the opening ceremony of the 2014 World Cup at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014.Ivan Alverado—Reuters
-
Performers participate in the opening ceremony of the 2014 World Cup at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014.Damir Saolj—Reuters
-
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014.Fabrice Coffrini—AFP/Getty Images
-
A brazilian soccer fan walks on the street near the Corinthians Arena ahead the 2014 World Cup match between Brazil and Croatia in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014.Ricardo Mores—Reuters
-
A reflection of cheering fans is seen before the 2014 World Cup opening match between Brazil and Croatia at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014.Ivan Alvarado—Reuters
-
Brazil's national soccer players pose for a team photo before their 2014 World Cup opening match against Croatia at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014.Paulo Whitaker—Reuters
-
Brazil and Croatia players stand in a circle as doves are released before kickoff at the 2014 World Cup opening match at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014.Fabrizio Bensch—Reuters
-
Sao Paulo residents hang out on the roof of a building in a neighborhood adjacent to Itaquerao Stadium, where fans gathered on the stands before the start of the World Cup opening match between Brazil and Croatia in group A in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014.Julio Cortez—AP
-
Brazil's Neymar fights for the ball with Croatia's Ivan Rakitic during their 2014 World Cup opening match at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014.Fabrizio Bensch—Reuters
-
Ivan Perisic of Croatia celebrates a first half goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Brazil and Croatia at Arena de Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014 in Sao Paulo.Adam Pretty—Getty Images
-
A Brazil soccer fan watches a screen broadcasting the World Cup opening match between Brazil and Croatia inside the FIFA Fan Fest area on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on June 12, 2014.Silvia Izquierdo—AP
-
Croatia's goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa fails to save the goal scored by Brazil's Neymar (unseen) during the 2014 World Cup opening match at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014.Paulo Whitaker—Reuters
-
Brazil's Neymar celebrates a goal during the 2014 World Cup opening match between Brazil and Croatia at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo June 12, 2014.Murad Sezer—Reuters
-
Brazil soccer fan reacts after the second goal for Brazil during the first 2014 World Cup soccer match between Brazil and Croatia, in a restaurant in Lille, northern France on June 12, 2014Michel Spingler—AP
-
Croatia's players react after conceding a goal to Brazil's Oscar (unseen) during their 2014 World Cup opening match at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo on June 12, 2014.Pawel Kopcznski—Reuters
-
A supportersof the Brazilian national football team holds a Brazilian flag out of a car window in Itu, Brazil on June 12, 2014.Kirill Kudryavtsev—AFP/Getty Images
Some 600,000 international travelers are crowding into the excited streets of Brazil to experience the 2014 World Cup. The highly anticipated month-long tournament kicks off today with a game between Croatia and Brazil. As festivities unfold throughout the day, TIME will be updating FIFA fans at home with photos capturing the action both on and off the field
More Must-Reads From TIME
- Taylor Swift Is TIME's 2023 Person of the Year
- Meet the Nation Builders
- Why Cell Phone Reception Is Getting Worse
- Column: It's Time to Scrap the Abraham Accords
- Israeli Family Celebrates Release of Hostage Grandmother
- In a New Movie, Beyoncé Finds Freedom
- The Top 100 Photos of 2023
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time