Fans around the world eagerly await as hosts Brazil takes on Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2014 opener.
An artist makes a miniature football field with national flags of participating countries to welcome the FIFA World Cup, in Amritsar on Wednesday. Photo: PTI
A football fan gets a haircut resembling football star Neymar ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2014, in Howrah on Wednesday. Photo: PTI
Visitors admire a cardboard-made pavilion for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil designed by Japan's 2014 Pritzker Architecture Prize winner Shigeru Ban, at the Brazilian embassy in Tokyo on Wednesday. The pavilion will be open to the public throughout the World Cup and the embassy will serve breakfast for visitors when Brazil's team play. Photo: AFP
A man kicks a soccer ball on the shores of Beira Mar, in Fortaleza, Brazil. Soccer fans around the world are gearing up to watch the World Cup soccer tournament that kicks off in Sao Paulo on Thursday. Photo: AP
Backdropped by the Itaquerao stadium, a Mexico soccer fan poses for a photo wearing a wrestling mask and a representation of his country's national flag as a cape, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The high-profile inaugural match will be played at the troubled Itaquerao, which was one of the most delayed venues for the World Cup. Photo: AP
A street performer dressed as a Brazilian national soccer team player, balances a ball on his head during his presentation in downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil. The 2014 World Cup is set to begin Thursday, with Brazil and Croatia competing in the opening match in Sao Paulo. Photo: AP
A man dressed in an outfit with Brazilian flags motifs stands on downtown corner in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Photo: AP
Fans of Turkey, Chile, and Neatherlands pose for a selfie at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Soccer fans around the world throng Brazil to support their country in the FIFA World Cup which is scheduled to start on Thursday. Photo: AP
Fans of Argentina and Brazil pose for a photo after exchanging their national soccer jerseys at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. The FIFA 2014 World Cup is set to open on June 12 with Brazil playing Croatia. Photo: AP
Fans of England enjoy a drink at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. England's national soccer team has Rio de Janeiro as their base city for the 2014 soccer World Cup 2014. Photo: AP
A man sells paintings of Chile's Arturo Vidal, and Brazil's Neymar in front of the Itaquerao stadium before the 2014 soccer World Cup start in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Photo: AP