For soccer fans all over the world, the big moment is here - the start of the 20th World Cup, in Brazil. But not all Brazilians are happy that their country is hosting football's biggest event.

Several hundred people gathered in downtown Rio two hours before the opening of the World Cup to protest social policies, the expenditures, and billions of dollars spent on stadiums.

There were school teachers, health workers, and political activists. They said they feel that a great injustice has been done, and that the social services of Brazil’s needs are being neglected.

As a result, they are pledging to demonstrate throughout the cup, and say they wish there was no cup at all.

In Sao Paulo, dozens of protesters clashed with police near the Arena Corinthians stadium, which will host the opening match.  The run-up to the competition has been plagued by years of construction delays and budget overruns.

The government spent $11.5 billion to prepare for the month-long event, including building or upgrading stadiums in 12 cities hosting games among the 32-team field.  

Brazil vs Croatia

Brazil opens the World Cup playing Croatia.  The host country is trying to win a record sixth World Cup title, and its first since 2002.

Other teams expected to challenge for the World Cup trophy include Argentina, defending champion Spain, and Germany, which has to first make it through the so-called "Group of Death."

The tournament is played in two stages.  The first lasts two weeks, with four teams in each of eight groups playing games against one another.  The top two teams in each group then move on to a single-elimination bracket, with a champion being crowned on July 13.

Germany, currently ranked second in the world by World Cup organizer FIFA, is in a group with fourth-ranked Portugal, the United States and Ghana, all of which made it to the round of 16 at the last World Cup in 2010.

Another tough group to watch is the only other to feature more than one top-10 team.  It pits seventh-ranked Uruguay against ninth-ranked Italy, 10th-ranked England and number 28 Costa Rica.

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Source: VOA News: Economy and Finance