After months of chaotic preparation, it’s finally here. The 2014 FIFA World Cup gets underway in Brazil on Thursday, June 12, and all eyes will turn to Sao Paulo for the opening game between Brazil and Croatia, exclusively live on ITV.
This is the second time Brazil has hosted the tournament, with the last occasion in 1950 finishing with them as runners-up to Uruguay and the feast of global football has remarkably not been held on South American soil since Argentina’s controversial home victory of 1978.
Brazil are always expected to be involved in the latter stages and have the honour of being the only nation to play in every World Cup finals, but the pressure on the Samba Boys is higher than ever this year, with nothing less than victory being acceptable to their adoring, yet hard-to-please fans.
Several Premier League-based players are expected to be involved throughout the tournament, with the starting XI for the hosts looking to add their names to an illustrious list of World Cup heroes that includes the likes of Pele, Garrincha, Jairzinho, Zico and Ronaldo.
The home side kick off their campaign against a Croatian side that needed a play-off against Iceland to qualify after finishing behind Belgium in their group.
While they possess a talented squad of players, they will not be expected to spoil the party this evening despite opening matches being notoriously difficult to predict.
Before the first game kicks off, fans will be treated to a short 25-minute Opening Ceremony which will launch the 20th edition of football’s greatest showpiece.
You can watch all 64 matches from the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil live across the BBC and ITV, with live streaming available online across multiple platforms.
Visit our dedicated World Cup page – sport-onthebox.com/worldcup – for a full rundown of everything you need to know.
SOTB’s TV viewing guide to Day 1 of the 2014 FIFA World Cup:
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DAY 1: THURSDAY 12th JUNE
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| LIVE: 7.00pm-8.00pm Venue: Sao Paulo |
WATCH LIVE ONLINE via ITV PLAYER
The 2014 FIFA World Cup kicks off on ITV with live coverage of the Opening Ceremony followed by Brazil taking on Croatia from the newly-built Arena de Sao Paulo.
While all 32 competing nations are meticulously preparing for the group stage, behind closed doors the rehearsals for the opening ceremony have been ongoing ahead of what is set to be a spectacular show worthy of starting the tournament.
In a perfect curtain-raiser for the month of action to follow, performers will unite for a 25-minute spectacular that involves singing, dancing and acrobatics.
The show’s Artistic director Daphne Cornez revealed that the ceremony will honour Brazil and that the hundreds of performers are more motivated than ever to thrill their worldwide audience.
Brazil’s endless treasures will be represented by both performers and props throughout the show, with a ‘living’ LED ball being the central focus, made up of a reported 90,000 light clusters.
Among the performers at the Opening Ceremony will be rapper Pitbull, who will team up with Jennifer Lopez, Claudia Leitte and drumming group Olodum to perform ‘We Are One’ – the official song of the tournament.
While it is hoped the Opening Ceremony will create a party atmosphere in Sao Paulo, if the hosts can go on to record a victory later tonight, then the stadium will reach fever pitch.
The ceremony will serve as the prelude to the opening match of the tournament between Brazil and Croatia, which kicks off at 9.00pm BST.
Adrian Chiles introduces ITV’s live coverage from its studio base in Rio de Janeiro, where build-up and analysis come from Fabio Cannavaro, Patrick Vieira and Lee Dixon.
Matt Smith will be pitchside in Sao Paulo reporting on the Opening Ceremony, while commentary on the show itself is provided by Clive Tyldesley.
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| GROUP A LIVE: 8.00pm-11.15pm Venue: Sao Paulo |
Presenter: Adrian Chiles
Pundits: Fabio Cannavaro, Patrick Vieira, Lee Dixon
Commentators: Clive Tyldesley & Andy Townsend
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WATCH LIVE ONLINE via ITV PLAYER
Tournament hosts and favourites Brazil hoping to make a winning start against a Croatia side which last qualified for the World Cup in 2006.
Among the star names in Brazil’s squad hoping to light up the World Cup are Barcelona pair Neymar and Dani Alves, alongside Chelsea’s Oscar, Willian and Ramires.
Other players who will be familiar to English fans are former QPR goalkeeper Julio Cesar, Manchester City’s Fernandinho, Spurs midfielder Paulinho and David Luiz, who recently agreed a deal to join Paris St Germain from Chelsea.
Croatia’s squad boasts dangermen including Bayern Munich hitman Mario Mandzukic and midfielder Luka Modric, who recently won the Champions League with Real Madrid.
Among the players who will be familiar to English fans are Nikica Jelavic of Hull City, former Arsenal striker Eduardo and Southampton centre-back Dejan Lovren.
ITV’s coverage following the conclusion of the Opening Ceremony will also feature extensive build-up to the tournament, including the latest news from the England camp ahead of their opening match against Italy, before the first game kicks off at 9.00pm BST.
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| DAY 1: BRAZIL v CROATIA 11.20pm-12.00am BBC Two |
Presenter: Mark Chapman
Pundits: Alan Shearer, Danny Murphy
Commentators: Guy Mowbray & Phil Neville (BRA v CRO)
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WATCH LIVE ONLINE via BBC iPLAYER
BBC Sport’s first daily highlights programme from the 2014 World Cup will feature all the best of the action and reaction from the opening game between Brazil and Croatia.
Host nation Brazil are vying for a record-extending sixth world crown and went into the tournament as the team to beat, led by poster boy Neymar.
A full rerun of the match will be broadcast on BBC Two later tonight (Friday morning) at 1.30am, while the highlights show is repeated on Friday morning at 7.40am.
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SPORT ON THE BOX’S COMPLETE WORLD CUP TV GUIDE
Thursday 12th June OPENING CEREMONY | Start: 19:15 LIVE: 7.00pm-8.00pm ITV BRAZIL v CROATIA Group A – Sao Paulo | Kick-off: 21:00 LIVE: 8.00pm-11.15pm ITV Replay: 1.30am-3.15am (Fri) BBC Two Match of the Day: World Cup Highlights – Day 1 11.20pm-12.00am BBC Two.
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I just can’t wait for the opening ceremony to start in Brazil. Waiting eagerly for Lopez performance in the opening ceremony.
Can’t wait for it to kick off!