Simmering civil tension and the stench of corruption threatens to sully Brazil’s global soccer party when the World Cup kicks off today against a backdrop of protests, unrest and alleged political graft.
What was to be a soccer celebration is in danger of being hijacked by off-field issues as a growing furore surrounding FIFA over alleged vote-buying for the 2022 World Cup stews and anger over domestic political corruption broils throughout Brazil.
The gloom is a far cry from what was envisioned when Brazil was selected as host nation in 2007.
But if any country can perform a feat of spiritual alchemy using football as its tool, Brazil can.
And for all the FIFA and protest dramas, billions of people around the world will tune in as eagerly as ever once the action begins.
The home of what Pele termed “the beautiful game” is likely to respond like few others could, if its yellow-shirted heroes can carry all before them.
A joyous festival of football would indeed be testament to the power of soccer if the sport shrugs off the unseemly smog enveloping the lead-up to this tournament.
Brazil will be confident of providing the perfect fillip when they open the World Cup with a Group A clash against Croatia in Sao Paulo tonight.
The hosts are favourites to clinch a record-extending sixth World Cup crown come the July 13 final at Rio’s Maracana stadium, and certainly it would be a triumph to finally exorcise the ghosts of 1950.
Sixty-four years ago the tournament was held with a round robin format and the Brazilians needed a draw to win the title in front of 200,000 fans at the Maracana.
However, they were beaten 2-1 by Uruguay in a national tragedy known as “the Maracanazo”.
While there will be some 100,000 fewer people in the rebuilt Maracana for the 2014 tournament, expectation will be no less weighty.
A triumphant WCup in the rivals’ backyard would elevate Messi to the level of Maradona
Brazil have their script but there are no shortage of other teams and players lining up to take their place in the pantheon of soccer giants.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi tops the list.
Considered by most to be the world’s best footballer, the Barcelona phenomenon has never hit the heights at a World Cup.
Unless he does, as the likes of Pele, Johan Cruyff and Diego Maradona have before him, there would always be a hint of a question mark over a career in which in every other way has touched the stars.
At the age of 26, a veteran already of two lukewarm World Cup campaigns, Messi has never really been embraced by Argentine fans.
But a triumphant World Cup in their biggest rivals’ backyard could elevate the 5ft 7in forward to the level of the similarly diminutive but much-revered World Cup-winning Maradona in his homeland.
The formidable Germans have their minds set on a slice of history for themselves.
No non-South American team has triumphed in these parts, but Joachim Loew’s stylish squad have observers lining up to say that spell is ready to be broken.
Without a major title since the 1996 European Championship, it has been quite a while between drinks for a nation used to toasting tournament winners, but with creative dynamo Mario Goetze at the heart of their machine, the wait may be about to end.
Another European powerhouse is not ready to relinquish its grip on the World Cup, however, and champions Spain will also be a formidable force.
Three more former winners will fight it out in Group D as one of Italy, England and surprise 2010 semi-finalists Uruguay will be going home early.
Uruguay, more specifically the hand of striker Luis Suarez, prevented Ghana becoming the first African nation to reach the semis four years ago in South Africa.
The Black Stars are back again but, along with the other four African teams, they will have to punch above their weight to shatter that toughened-glass ceiling.