The protests started outside the team’s hotel in Rio de Janeiro where coach Luiz Felipe Scolari had just met his squad on Monday. The hostile crowd, consisting mainly of striking teachers, covered the bus in stickers with messages protesting against next month’s tournament.
One of the banners read “There will not be a cup” while the crowd chanted "There will be no World Cup, there will be a strike”.
The demonstrators then hammered the sides of the team bus as it pulled off to the Selecao training ground, where they were greeted by further protesters.
Teachers in the country have been on strike since 12 May, demanding better pay and working conditions, while there is widespread anger against the hosting of the tournament by numerous citizens who live in dire poverty.
There is increasing concern over security at the world showpiece, which kicks off in just 16 days, as well as the country’s readiness to host the event, with three of the stadiums yet to be fully completed.
Brazil legend and Fifa World Cup ambassador Ronaldo voiced his personal concern and embarrassment over the situation in his country.
“In 2007 when they decided that the World Cup would be in Brazil, President Lula signed everything and agreed to everything and then they get here and there’s this bureaucracy, total confusion and lateness,” he said.
“It’s a shame. I am embarrassed, this is my country and I love it and we shouldn’t be transmitting this image abroad.
“But we mustn’t forget that Brazil wasn’t perfect before the World Cup. It was the same or worse.”
A total of 157 000 soldiers and police have been deployed to beef up security around the country, with an estimated 300 000 visitors expected in the country for the global event.
