There are mixed views on whether football's premier event will score a goal for the Brazilian economy. Some analysts say the World Cup has already benefited Brazil by attracting hordes of foreign tourists, creating a pitch-full of new jobs and jump-starting numerous small businesses.

However, rating agency Moody's is giving Brazil's economic gains from the tournament a yellow card. The agency says that's because the World Cup is benefiting only a few economic sectors and that ongoing strikes, protests, and holidays are causing losses. Moody's says, too, that revenues from the tourism sector and Brazil's share of advertising revenues from the games will be too small to give a major kick to the national economy.