Lopez helped kick off celebrations at the Arena de Sao Paulo in Brazil for the World Cup opener v Croatia opening ceremony started back in March and performers spent nearly 100 hours rehearsing around the country and by Brazilians around the world
Billions tuned in to watch Brazil burst into life last night as the World Cup's festival of football kicked off in earnest - but viewers around the world were left fighting with their TV remotes as poor sound quality prevented many hearing the tournament's anthem.
kicked off in earnest - but viewers around the world were left fighting with their TV remotes as poor sound quality prevented many hearing the tournament's anthem.
The ceremony, which cost around £4.5million to stage and was viewed by an estimated 3.2billion around the world, was the result of months of preparation by the country, which is hosting the tournament for the first time in more than 60 years.
around £4.5million to stage and was viewed by an estimated 3.2billion around the world, was the result of months of preparation by the country, which is hosting the tournament for the first time in more than 60 years.
But the beautiful spectacle produced by hundreds of ornately-dressed dancers was ruined for some by the inability to hear popstar Jennifer Lopez and rapper Pitbull singing the official tournament song 'We Are One (Ola Ola)'.
singing the official tournament song 'We Are One (Ola Ola)'.
The problems could not dampen the joy of Brazilians though - who were sent into party mode when their team won the opening match with a 3-1 victory over Croatia, causing ecstatic fans to spill into streets around the country.
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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
song 'We Are One (Ola Ola)' during the opening ceremony
But many TV viewers were left angry after poor sound quality meant they were unable to hear the popstar's official anthem for the tournament
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
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Jennifer Lopez and Brazilian pop star Claudia Leitte (together left) joined rapper Pitbull (right) on the giant stage as they performed ‘We Are One’ to the cheering crowd
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
The official World Cup song, performd by the trio, is the lead single from the 2014 Brazil World Cup album and follows on from Shakira's 2010 anthem Waka Waka
Jennifer Lopez wore a sparkling green sequin dress for the performance, which delighted fans following earlier reports she might not attend. Meanwhile Claudia Leitte (left) bounced around in a sparkly blue number while Pitbull (right) wore a Brazil t-shirt
The home fans - all in good spirits - cheered alongside small pockets of Croatians, who wore their team's red and white jersey, as the high-profile trio sang the official World Cup song 'We Are One (Ole Ola)'
Singer Jennifer Lopez was joined by rapper Pitbull and Brazilian pop star Claudia Leitte as the world's biggest football tournament commenced in Brazil this evening
After the energetic performance, the singers walked around the stadium and appeared to be touched by the response from the cheering crowd
The 30-minute show was choreographed by Brazil's Paulo Barros and featured a variety of performers each dressed in random but colourful costumes.
It began with children, dressed in the colours of the 32 nations, bouncing on trampolines as performers dressed as trees and flowers walked around the centre of the stadium.
The colourful costumes were meant to represent the ‘nature phase’ of the show, which celebrated the rich diversity of Brazil. Another 'phase' of the ceremony saw entertainers dressed as lifesize footballs and referees, as a nod to the start of the 2014 World Cup.
Superstar Jennifer Lopez, rapper Pitbull and Brazilian popstar Claudia Leitte headlined the show and bounced around the giant stage as they sang the official World Cup song 'We Are One (Ola Ola)'.
But while those in the stadium enjoyed the music, many fans in Britain took to Twitter to complain that the sound quality was so poor they couldn't hear the heavily-hyped song.
Among the hundreds of messages online, Colin Maddocks tweeted: 'I'm sure that J-Lo sang beautifully. Shame I couldn't bloody hear it! Have they never heard of a sound check?!'
Shakira Connolly added: 'Assuming Brazil spent all their money on J-Lo and not on the sound system! Should of got Danny Boyle in Brazil! #WorldCup #OpeningCeremony'
And Richard Prest wrote: 'Is it just my telly or has the sound at opening ceremony gone all to pot?'
ITV have insisted the sound problems were not its fault, and were caused by a problem with the original footage.
A spokesman said: 'The sound problem that regrettably caused some disruption to viewers was caused by a technical issue with the host broadcaster, which provides the coverage of all the action at this year's World Cup.'
The opening night of the tournament was marked with events around the country, with this samba dancers giving a performance not far from the stadium in Sao Paulo
around the country, with this samba dancers giving a performance not far from the stadium in Sao Paulo
The experience was capped off for many home fans when their team fought back from being 1-0 behind to Croatia to win 3-1 following two goals from Neymar
3-1 following two goals from Neymar
The home side's 3-1 win sparked huge celebrations around the country, whose football-obsessed fans have been building up to the tournament for months
Brazilians around the world took to the streets to celebrate - with this dancer performing traditional Capoeira moves for crowds in Miami, USA
The opening night victory has raised hopes in the country that the team might win the tournament and expunge memories of 1950, the last time the tournament was held there and Brazil narrowly missed out on the trophy
Traditional carnivals were among the celebrations as thousands took the streets to welcome visitors and enjoy the atmosphere after their team's win
The game was enjoyed by fans around the South American country, including these in the northern city of Manaus, where England kick off their tournament tomorrow
Celebrations centred around a gigantic globe situated in the middle of the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo and performers - dressed in an array of colourful outfits and costumes - danced in front of the 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 Brazil's Valentine'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
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
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
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
The colourful extravaganza, watched by 68,000 fans in the stadium, saw Brazil celebrate the start of its first World Cup in 64 years.
The home fans – all in good spirits - cheered alongside small pockets of Croatians, who wore their team’s red and white jersey. At one point, three doves were brought onto the stage to symbolise peace – but one of them apparently escaped, flew into the stage and died.
Although the event aimed to celebrate Brazilian culture, a nod to football only came two-thirds of the way through, with a group of acrobats wearing football headgear.
They were joined by 63 boys and a girl from local football clubs. But other parts of the show left viewers bemused, including a sequence intended to represent a celebration of Amazonian nature.
Young dancers dressed as raindrops and tulips darted across the stage, while a canoeist was carried through and others were dressed as trees, flowering buds and water lilies.
There were also criticisms on Twitter of a lack of performers spread across such a huge stage.
Ben Davies posted: ‘Is this a dress rehearsal for the #openingceremony? Where is everyone?’
Another said: ‘I’ve seen more coherent performances in a GCSE Shakespeare showing.’
And Nick Daniels tweeted: ‘I have been to school plays more professional than this.’
The opening ceremony featured different stages including a nature phase, where entertainers dressed as flowers and trees to celebrate the rich diversity of Brazil
The ceremony, which cost more than £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
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
Organisers held a total of 31 auditions to choose the show's performers and circus artists and army soldiers were among those selected
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
Preparations for the opening ceremony, which fell on Brazil’s Valentine’s Day, started in March.
There were nearly 100 hours of rehearsals, with some 20 hours of artistic work going into each minute of the ceremony. Organisers held a total of 31 auditions to choose the show's performers and circus artists and army soldiers were among those selected.
Each of the props used in the 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 was choreographed by Paulo Barros, a two-time winner of the samba school title at the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.
Nearly half the world's population, well over three billion people, were expected to watch as the hosts took on Croatia in Sao Paulo tonight.
In the centre of the stadium, the football pitch was covered in multi-coloured rays for the opening ceremony, which cost more than £4.5million to put on
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
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)
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 before the opening match.
At one point towards the end of the opening ceremony, fans chanted and booed against Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and football’s governing body, FIFA.
Many in Brazil have complained that spending on the World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics has diverted cash from the poor and infrastructure improvements.
Although traffic and transit strikes have plagued the sprawling Sao Paulo area in recent weeks, thousands made it into the stadium for tonight’s party.
Earlier today, riot police in Brazil fired rubber bullets and baton-charged protesters as violent clashes broke out just hours before the World Cup celebrations kicked off.
Noise bombs were also let off near the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo to disperse a crowd of about 200 demonstrators angry about government overspending on the event.
Thousands of fans gathered in the Arena de Sao Paulo in Brazil for the World Cup opening ceremony ahead of the tournament's first match between Brazil and Croatia
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
Thousands of fans cheered as they watched the official opening ceremony get underway at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo this evening
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
Brazil fans give a thumbs up (left) and a big cheer (right) as they prepare to watch their team take on Croatia in the opening match of the 2014 World Cup this evening
Brazil fans enjoy the atmosphere - and a beer - during the opening ceremony of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil
A Brazil fan kisses a mock World Cup trophy at the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo ahead of tonight's Group A match between Brazil and Croatia
The protesters were trying to cut off a key avenue leading to the stadium, on the eastern edge of Sao Paulo.
At least one protester was arrested, local media reported. A producer for CNN was injured during the confrontation, witnesses said.
Brazil is facing widespread strikes, anti-government protests, still-to-be finished stadiums and severe floods. Today, it also emerged hackers are threatening to attack event websites.
Meanwhile, protests have been taking place across the country and strikes by police, teachers and transport workers in several Cup host cities have crippled public services.
'The world is going to see multitudes cheering for soccer - but also demanding that our country change,' Helen Santos, a school teacher, said as she walked home in Rio de Janeiro.
'The world needs to see that we're a serious country. We're not just a nation of soccer, but a country striving and demanding the government provide better education and health care. The world needs to see the reality of Brazil, not just the sport.'
Elsewhere, it was reported some venues were not yet finished. The stadium in Manaus which will accommodate thousands of supporters during England’s opening match against Italy tomorrow was said to be in such ‘bad shape’ that even the groundsman expressed fears it would not be up to scratch by the weekend.
Worryingly, fresh tarmac was still being laid less than 48 hours before kick-off, while it was claimed the Arena da Amazônia had not undergone ‘proper and thorough’ testing for crowd safety.
Thousands of Croatia fans turned out to the main square in the Croatian capital of Zagreb to watch the opening match on a giant television screen
Croatia fans, wearing their team's red and white shirt, celebrated as they went 1-0 up against Brazil in the Group A match
Croatia fans turned out in their thousands to watch their team take on Brazil on the opening night of the 2014 World Cup
Fans couldn't believe their luck when Croatia went 1-0 ahead within the first 15 minutes thanks to an own goal by Brazil. However, the host nation ended up winning the lively match 3-1
Thousands of supporters gathered in the main square of Croatia's capital Zagreb to watch the match between Croatia and Brazil on a giant television screen
Croatian fans also turned out to bars and restaurants in the centre of Zagreb to watch the match, which was shown of televisions across the capital
Britons also faced hours of queuing at airport immigration after flying into Rio de Janeiro, raising fears they might not even make it to the match on time.
Others faced an arduous five-day boat trip up the Amazon River in stifling 30C heat and 80 per cent humidity to reach the remote Amazonian city of Manaus for England’s opening game.
Others faced an arduous five-day boat trip up the Amazon River in stifling 30C heat and 80 per cent humidity to reach the remote Amazonian city of Manaus for England’s opening game.
Some 5,000 England fans took the five-day boat trip for the 1,700-mile journey, while others opted for a relatively speedy four-and-a-half hour flight from Rio de Janeiro.
It was a sweaty and uncomfortable ride for which fans paid just £40 – or an extra £30 for a guaranteed ‘hammock space’.
Pictures emerged yesterday of the cramped conditions on board in which up to 150 people shared a single cabin.
Food, included in the price, include crackers and coffee for breakfast, and rice, beans and chicken for lunch and dinner.
On arrival, fans will find themselves in the world’s 11th most dangerous city – which had 945 murders last year thanks to drug traffickers and gangs.
The Foreign Office has warned fans to be on their guard, although it does not appear to have deterred travellers, some of whom have paid touts up to £500 for tickets.
The Ministry of Tourism expects some 500,000 tourists to visit Rio de Janeiro during the World Cup, the large majority travelling through Galeao.
Before tonight's ceremony, a protest broke out in Sao Paulo as part of a demonstration demanding better public services and opposing the money spent on the World Cup
Protesters tried to block part of the main highway leading to the stadium ahead of the multi-million pound opening ceremony and opening match of the 2014 World Cup
Police fired tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets to break up dozens of protesters gathering near a Sao Paulo subway station with a banner reading 'If we have no rights, there won't be a Cup'
Protesters said they planned to march as close as possible to Corinthians Arena - the city's World Cup stadium where Brazil took on Croatia in the opening match tonight
Police fire tear gas at protestors during an anti-World Cup demonstration outside Carrao Metro Station in Sao Paulo ahead of tonight's opening ceremony
ahead of tonight's opening ceremony
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