Child, fork, soccer ball
© AFP Photo / Nelson AlmeidaA graffiti painted by Brazilian street artist Paulo Ito on the entrance of a public schoolhouse in Sao Paulo, Brazil, May 23, 2014
With just two weeks remaining until the World Cup kicks off in Brazil, those who believe the global event is too much of a burden for the country's struggling economy have found a new way to channel their protest energy - with graffiti.

Street artists have covered walls in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo with pictures which blame football's governing body, FIFA, for exploiting Brazil and the local government for neglecting the needs of the poor.

They share the belief that the US $11 billon which has been spent on the World Cup should have been used to improving transportation, healthcare, and education.

boy, soccer ball, need food
© www.pinterest.com
"It's a good way to expose the country's problems," graffiti artist Paulo Ito told the Guardian. "If the government doesn't want to expose these things it's because they feel ashamed. If they feel ashamed by this they might take it more seriously - at least, that's our intention."

Despite the Brazilians' passion for football, over one million people took to the streets across the country last year demanding the cancelation of the World Cup.

The people's outrage is only increasing as the tournament draws nearer - even Brazil's training session ahead of the event was marred by protests.

Meanwhile, graffiti that celebrates the upcoming tournament and the country's football heroes - who will be hoping for their sixth world title at the home event - is being vandalized.
Graffiti wall, woman and child
© rt.comA woman walks with her child on her shoulders in front of graffiti against the infrastructure work for the 2014 World Cup at the Metro Mangueira slum near the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.