The 2014 FIFA Football World Cup got under way with a colorful ceremony at Sao Paolo's Corinthians Arena. Hundreds of dancers, gymnasts, and stars as Jennifer Lopez took part in the event.
The 2014 FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony
![Performers dressed as soccer balls take part in the World Cup's opening ceremony.](https://gdb.rferl.org/f9f27d77-66c1-4b93-80f8-73e815d4ea36_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Performers dressed as soccer balls take part in the World Cup's opening ceremony.
![A view of the opening ceremony performance from the top of the arena.](https://gdb.rferl.org/cf689dd0-41d5-4162-97a1-9cd5b189ac40_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A view of the opening ceremony performance from the top of the arena.
![Performers bounce on a trampoline.](https://gdb.rferl.org/79cf843a-87a6-4b9c-8ac6-80ed8eed9f97_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Performers bounce on a trampoline.
![The Brazilian flag was displayed during one of the performances.](https://gdb.rferl.org/bb874fd6-a97d-489e-b76b-9a3ebc51ce24_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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The Brazilian flag was displayed during one of the performances.
![A dancer performs during the opening ceremony.](https://gdb.rferl.org/b780fa54-b843-404c-afc9-c466b237c155_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A dancer performs during the opening ceremony.
![There many of the performers wore elaborate costumes.](https://gdb.rferl.org/dc001aa4-c4e1-4746-9d31-444962c160b1_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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There many of the performers wore elaborate costumes.
![Dancers demonstrate the Brazilian martial art Capoeira during the opening ceremony.](https://gdb.rferl.org/6d493658-6e11-4426-82b6-218d8e822054_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Dancers demonstrate the Brazilian martial art Capoeira during the opening ceremony.
![The singers Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, and Claudia Leitte performing.](https://gdb.rferl.org/6510f6ec-231a-4556-bbe4-c4a1b02065f8_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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The singers Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull, and Claudia Leitte performing.
![The crowd cheers berfore the Group A match between Brazil and Croatia at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo after the opening ceremony.](https://gdb.rferl.org/56255bbc-a5d3-4414-a013-c965f3ac7533_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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The crowd cheers berfore the Group A match between Brazil and Croatia at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo after the opening ceremony.