Photos: Opening ceremony of 2014 World Cup in Brazil

13 June 2014 7:21am

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The 2014 FIFA World Cup kicked off at the Arena de Sao Paulo in Brazil, Thursday night.

The opening ceremony, which is reported to have cost $4.5 million, featured several exciting displays including a tribute to Brazil and its treasures: nature, people and football.

The highpoint of the colourful ceremony was a performance by music stars, Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull and Brazilian pop-star Claudia Leitte. They performed the official World Cup song 'We Are One (Ola Ola)'.

Watch photos of the ceremony below: (Photo credit: Getty Images/AP/AFP/Action Images/Reuters)

Popstar Jennifer Lopez and rapper Pitbull performed to thousands of people at the Arena de Sao Paulo in Brazil this evening as the opening ceremony of the World Cup got underway

Singer Jennifer Lopez, rapper Pitbull and Brazilian popstar Claudia Leitte bounced around the giant stage as they sang the official World Cup song 'We Are One (Ola Ola)' during the opening ceremony

Superstar Jennifer Lopez sizzled in a sparkly green number as she performed to thousands of people at the official World Cup opening ceremony

Jennifer Lopez performed with rapper Pitbull ahead of the group A match between Brazil and Croatia, which is the opening game of the 2014 tournament

Joining her on stage: Brazilian pop singer ClÃ¡udia Leitte also gave J-Lo a run for her money in the booty-shakin' department as they danced together throughout the performance

No holding her back: There had been initial reports that Jennifer was due to drop out, but by the looks of her energetic performance there was nothing that could have kept her away from the stage

Jennifer Lopez wore a sparkling leotard as she sang the official FIFA World Cup song 'We Are One (Ole Ola)' alongside Pitbull and Claudia Leitte

J-Lo wows as she performs during the opening ceremony of the 2014 World Cup prior to the Group A match between Brazil and Croatia

After the energetic performance, the singers walked around the stadium and appeared to be touched by the response from the cheering crowd

A globe in the centre of the stadium displayed all of the flags of the countries taking part in the 2014 World Cup and resembled the Brazuca - the official ball of the competition

Entertainers, who have been rehearsing since March, dressed in an array of different costumes as they performed to the jubilant crowd

The opening ceremony took on a variety of different themes, with entertainers dressed in everything from flowers and trees to life size footballs (pictured)

Preparations for the opening ceremony, which falls on BrazilÂ¿s ValentineÂ¿s Day, started in March. There were 84 hours of rehearsals, with some 20 hours of artistic work going into each minute of the ceremony

Entertainers performed to the jubilant crowd in an array of colourful outfits and costumes after spending months rehearsing for the big day

Performers dressed in an array of colourful outfits and costumes as they took part in the opening ceremony which was watched by thousands of fans

Each of the props used in tonight's ceremony were specially designed with an even weight distribution so as not to cause any damage to the playing surface, which was covered for the opening celebration

The ceremony, which cost more than Â£4.5million, was choreographed by Paulo Barros, a two-time winner of the samba school title at the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro

Some performers dressed as colourful flowers for the 30-minute ceremony Which took place this evening ahead of Brazil v Croatia which more than three billion people are expected to watch

The opening ceremony featured different stages including a nature phase, where entertainers dressed as flowers and trees to celebrate the rich diversity of Brazil. Other phases saw performers in bright costumes twirl around and dance to a classic Brazilian rhythm

Around 20 hours of artistic work went into every single minute of the 30-minute ceremony, which was choreographed by Paulo Barros - a two-time winner of the samba school title at the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro

The ceremony started with children, dressed in the colours of the 32 nations, bouncing on trampolines as performers dressed as trees walked around the centre of the stadium

Performers dressed in an array of random but colourful outfits and costumes as they danced in front of the crowd during the 30-minute show

The ceremony featured several different 'phases' with some performers dancing to Samba, others on trampolines, others on stilts and some in canoes. Each aspect was designed to reflect a part of Brazilian life

Organisers held a total of 31 auditions to choose the show's performers and circus artists and army soldiers were among those selected

One 'phase' of the ceremony saw entertainers dressed as lifesize footballs and referees, as a nod to the start of the 2014 World Cup

Video highlights and memorable bloopers from past World Cups were shown on the big screens at either end of the stadium towards the end of the 30-minute show but not before performers twirled to Brazilian rhythms (pictured)

Brazilian fans cheer during the World Cup opening ceremony as they prepare to watch their team kick off the month-long football tournament with the opening Group A match against Croatia

Nearly half the world's population, well over three billion people, are expected to watch as the hosts play Croatia in Sao Paulo tonight

One fan pleaded for forgiveness from his significant other with a giant placard apologising for choosing football over a romantic night with his partner on Brazil's Valentine's Day

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