The World Cup Kicks Off in Brazil

2 minute read

Updated 6:00pm ET

The World Cup kicked off Thursday, with tournament favorite and host Brazil beating Croatia 3-1 in the opening game of the tournament.

The game followed a lavish opening ceremony featuring Jennifer Lopez, rapper Pitbull and Brazilian pop star Claudia Leitte performing the official—and at times panned–song of the games, “We Are One.”

The competition has been marred by widespread protests across the country fueled by the tournament’s $11 billion price tag despite a trouble economy and high crime rates.

But on Thursday, some 1 billion people were estimated to be watching Brazil take on Croatia, kicking off the tournament of 31 nations. In total, 64 matches will be played in 12 stadiums across the country until July 13. The tournament begins with a group stage, and the top two leaders of each group advance to the knockout stage of four rounds.

The U.S. plays its first game on Monday at 6pm ET against Ghana. See the full World Cup schedule here.

And if you’re hoping to watch the day games from work, ESPN is streaming the matches online here ONLY for most paid cable subscribers. Alternatively, Univision Deportes is streaming matches from the tournament’s first two rounds, in Spanish (h/t Slate).

On the Field and in the Streets: Photos From the World Cup Kickoff

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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
Opening Ceremony
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
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
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
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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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 Rakitic during their 2014 World Cup opening match at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo
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.
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
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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
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
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
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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 during their 2014 World Cup opening match at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo
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
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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

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Write to Noah Rayman at noah.rayman@time.com