FIFA World Cup 2014 kicks off in Brazil

13.06.2014 [00:34]
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Baku, June 12 (AZERTAC). The 2014 FIFA World Cup officially got under way on with a colourful opening ceremony in Brazil.

A cast of 660 dancers paid tribute to the country's nature, people and football with a show around a "living" ball on the Arena de Sao Paulo pitch.

The final act saw a performance of official World Cup song "We Are One" by Jennifer Lopez and rapper Pitbull.

The national teams of 31 countries advanced through qualification competitions that began in June 2011 to participate with the host nation Brazil in the final tournament. A total of 64 matches are to be played in 12 cities across Brazil in either new or redeveloped stadiums, with the tournament beginning with a group stage. For the first time at a World Cup Finals, the matches will use goal-line technology.

It is the second time that Brazil has hosted the competition, the last one being in 1950. Brazil was elected unchallenged as host nation in 2007 after the international football federation, FIFA, decreed that the tournament would be staged in South America for the first time since 1978 in Argentina, and the fifth time overall.

FIFA World Cup 2014 kicks off in Brazil

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