It’s good to have goals: But is Brazil ready for the strike when world’s top 32 soccer teams gather today at Sao Paulo? Not exactly.

Brazil in a box: Airports aren’t ready, lack of local support, concerns over power grid, new stadiums not ready, street protests, match-fixing scandal, subway strike… it really needs Bra‘zeal’ plus to run against time?

What’s in the soup?: Brazilians question the amount of over $14bn being spent on the games. Soccer legend Pele finds it excessive too. A PEW survey says 48 percent of them saw it damaging to the country’s image internationally.

Ball watching: FIFA is giving all the wrong signals which is “neither good for soccer nor for FIFA and its partners,” said a sportswear firm and longest-standing partner of the tournament.

Penalty corner: The World Cup (WC) often finds itself in this nasty spot. Call it corruption corner. In 2011, its top brass were forced to resign after bribery allegation. So it’s not for the first time. What an un-sportive spirit!

Off-side: FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s tenure also sees fiscal mismanagement. Besides, he raises storms by calling women’s professional teams to wear scanty uniforms to increase ticket sales. His salacious comments about homosexuality have also not been taken in good taste.

Wrong side: Among international sports governing bodies, FIFA perhaps has the lowest reputation of all, says Brett Forrest, ESPN’s senior writer.

Hollywood ball: It appears that Sao Paulo will need this filmy savior to save the event from disaster.

Dirty game: Blatter blasts British press for playing its own little dirty games by flinging charges of racism in case of Qatar being named 2022 WC hosts.

Line of recovery: Experts believe FIFA needs an overhaul in structure, culture and a change of leadership.

10 things about the World Cup 2014

The fans are ready with their vuvuzelas. In this strife-torn world, Brazil is seems set to dazzle the world with the magic that will bring the whole world together.

At least 32 nations in the fray. Playgrounds are spread in 12 stadia, and an estimated one billion people will watch the opening.

Most Brazilians in the Pele’s land aren’t necessarily against the WC. PEW says 35 percent see the games as a good chance to enhance country’s image.

But public anger is yet to subside over charges of wasteful spending, corruption, traffic jams, strikes and a litany of other complaints.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is cautious. It may turn out to be a double whammy as besides country’s image her own rating is at stake. In October she faces presidential election.

Soccer is not without shockers. It comes every 4 years and leaves after making new memories, amazing wins, jaw-dropping defeats, tears of joy and pain, screams and many hugs. Those are the moments when Saudi Arabia virtually stops in time.

Let not all these fast and furious comments douse the fact that Brazil has won the cup more than anyone else. WC will lose sheen without Sao Polo. One can therefore hope it to put up a fantastic world cup.

Much of the “carnival spirit” and nation’s mood depends on how Brazil plays. It may change the course from a barge of criticism to Sao Paulo having the last laugh.

Saudis may put their weight behind Algeria, the only Arab team in the games, but they will largely be divided between Brazil, Germany, Argentina, Spain, England, France, and Italy — the real soccer super powers.

A word for the Saudi boys who have failed to make it to WC 2014: The true champion loses many battles before winning the war. So, come on boys, gird up and take the battle by its horns.

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