World Cup Begins! LIVE UPDATES As Brazil Takes On Croatia In Opening Match

LIVE UPDATES: World Cup Opens With Brazil Taking On Croatia
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - JUNE 06: Neymar of Brazil runs the ball during the International Friendly Match between Brazil and Serbia at Morumbi Stadium on June 06, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - JUNE 06: Neymar of Brazil runs the ball during the International Friendly Match between Brazil and Serbia at Morumbi Stadium on June 06, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Ready or not, it's time.

With pomp and protests in seemingly equal measure, the 2014 World Cup has finally arrived. The 32-team tournament kicks off in Brazil with the hosts taking on Croatia at Itaquerao stadium in Sau Paulo on Thursday. In the first of the World Cup's 64 matches, Neymar and Brazil's star-studded national team will be in the spotlight, immensely talented and under immense pressure to deliver their nation's sixth World Cup triumph.

Brazil vs. Croatia
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Itaquerao stadium
KICKOFF TIME: 4 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN

Brazil, who won the Confederations Cup in 2013 on home soil, will have the skill and the support to make an early statement of its quality. But the band of one-name superstars won't get any cooperation from their opponents. Not satisfied with playing a supporting role in the opening extravaganza, Croatia is confident it can stun the Selecao.

CLICK HERE for live match stats

"I am sure and convinced that tomorrow this team can create a historic result," Croatia coach Niko Kovac said on Wednesday, via The Associated Press.

Regardless of the result, history will be made at Itaquerao stadium and the whole world will be watching.

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