Taking it to the street

Taking it to the street

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Soccer fans around the globe are gearing up for the World Cup, but in the host nation Brazil, feelings about the tournament are mixed.

Many Brazilians are angry about how much was spent preparing for the Cup and how the country still struggled to be ready. Some of their frustration has been translated into graffiti that adorns city walls in addition to other more neutral works of street art.

. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares

Detractors say the World Cup has done more harm than good by taking funds away from social programs and more important investment projects.

Anger about broken promises and the ballooning cost of soccer venues contributed to widespread protests that drew over a million Brazilians into the streets last year. It can also be seen in works of graffiti like the mural pictured above.

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Children watch a soccer match held by activists involved in the "Rebel Cup," an informal tournament bringing together social movements as a form of protest against government spending on the World Cup.
. SAO PAULO, Brazil. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

Children watch a soccer match held by activists involved in the "Rebel Cup," an informal tournament bringing together social movements as a form of protest against government spending on the World Cup.

Children play soccer on a street hung with Brazilian flags and decorated with graffiti celebrating the World Cup. The phrase on the floor reads "The Homeland of Cleats".
. SAO PAULO, Brazil. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

Children play soccer on a street hung with Brazilian flags and decorated with graffiti celebrating the World Cup. The phrase on the floor reads "The Homeland of Cleats".

Brazilian artist Paulo Ito talks on his mobile phone next to a mural he painted about the World Cup on the gates of a public school.
. SAO PAULO, Brazil. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

Brazilian artist Paulo Ito talks on his mobile phone next to a mural he painted about the World Cup on the gates of a public school.

A boy poses by a wall along "Beco do Batman" (Batman's alley), a famous open-air graffiti museum in the Vila Madalena neighbourhood of Sao Paulo.
. SAO PAULO, Brazil. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

A boy poses by a wall along "Beco do Batman" (Batman's alley), a famous open-air graffiti museum in the Vila Madalena neighbourhood of Sao Paulo.

Ryan, 9, puts on his sweater in front of a mural painted by members of the group Unidentified Graffiti Artists (OPNI). The group was founded 1997 as a means of transforming slum streets into a space where members could express their grievances and denounce perceived social injustice.
. SAO PAULO, Brazil. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

Ryan, 9, puts on his sweater in front of a mural painted by members of the group Unidentified Graffiti Artists (OPNI). The group was founded 1997 as a means of transforming slum streets into a space where members could express their grievances and denounce perceived social injustice.

A child walks past a mural of Brazilian footballers, in which goalkeeper Julio Cesar's face has been painted over with a mask.
. SAO PAULO, Brazil. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

A child walks past a mural of Brazilian footballers, in which goalkeeper Julio Cesar's face has been painted over with a mask.

A homeless man walks past graffiti that reads "FIFA go home".
. RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil. REUTERS/Sergio Moraes

A homeless man walks past graffiti that reads "FIFA go home".

A woman walks her dogs in Sao Paulo's graffiti-covered "Batman's alley".
. SAO PAULO, Brazil. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

A woman walks her dogs in Sao Paulo's graffiti-covered "Batman's alley".

Brazilian artist Jambeiro paints a mural about the World Cup.
. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares

Brazilian artist Jambeiro paints a mural about the World Cup.

A man sleeps on the ground next to World Cup graffiti.
. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares

A man sleeps on the ground next to World Cup graffiti.

A boy flies a kite next to a mural by Brazilian artist Cranio.
. SAO PAULO, Brazil. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

A boy flies a kite next to a mural by Brazilian artist Cranio.

A couple walks along the open-air gallery of "Batman's alley".
. SAO PAULO, Brazil. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

A couple walks along the open-air gallery of "Batman's alley".