SOCCER: World Cup street-decoration tradition returns to Brazil

A Rio street has kept alive the tradition of decorating for the World Cup with an open-air mural in support of Brazil.

On Pereira Nunes Street, in the Vila Isabel neighbourhood, residents have gathered every four years for the past 48 years to paint murals on the ground and walls ahead of the FIFA World Cup tournament.

This year, the flags of the three co-host countries — the United States, Canada and Mexico — have been added to the display alongside Brazil's national colours of yellow, green and blue, the tournament's trophy and national former and current stars, such as Vinicius Junior.

Organisers say the mural transmits a message of peace, tolerance and inclusion.

Brazil last won the World Cup in 2002 in Japan. This will be the first World Cup since Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti took over as coach.

-Sergio Queiroz, Anna Portella/Reuters