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Brazil faces a crucial next four years.
The country has been given two opportunities to showcase its economic prowess and culture: the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics Games.
Preparation for both is already underway, but things haven't gone smoothly.
The kind of corruption other Brazilian industries have dealt with for decades has, not surprisingly, moved into Cup preparations.
And just as other third-world countries have done when trying to fix things up for large events, Brazil is doing its best to hide the large part of its population it wants few to know about: the poor living in terrible, drug-ridden slums.
This process has left entire communities in shambles, separating life long neighbors and ruining the foundation of the buildings next to the now empty lots
This mural in the middle of one of the affected slums shows how locals are feeling: they love the game more than anything, but it's ruining their lives right now (soccer ball as a skull)
Major issues with the construction of Maracanã stadium stem from the original construction company being accused of corruption involving gambling interests
Some argue his replacement, Jose Maria Marin, isn't any better. He can be seen here pocketing a winner's medal at a youth tournament. A minor offense perhaps, but many saw it as symbolic of the kind of men being put in charge
Unfortunately, one prominent Brazilian human rights activist says, like most business in Brazil, the World Cup is doing a lot of good for investors, not residents
