Children pose with a poster of Brazilian football player Neymar and a Brazilian flag during their decorating work on a street for the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on the eve of the opening of the event. AFP PHOTO
Children pose with a poster of Brazilian football player Neymar and a Brazilian flag during their decorating work on a street for the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on the eve of the opening of the event. AFP PHOTO

SAO PAULO: Brazil kicks off the World Cup on Thursday (Friday in Manila) hoping to unite the football-mad country after a chaotic seven-year build-up plagued by violent protests.

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