The World Cup begins this Thursday. Hosts, Brazil, take on Croatia in the opening game. Ben Taverner, in Sao Paulo, reports on the excitement building in the country.
He says the government is promising the best ever competition. But the prelude to the tournament has been marred by strikes and protests, some of which have turned violent.  
Brazil last hosted the World Cup in 1950. The hosts will be hoping there's not a repeat of that final when they lost to Uruguay. 
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