The pair were joined in the middle of the Arena Corinthians pitch in São Paulo by Brazilian pop singer Cláudia Leitte for a performance of the World Cup official song, We Are One.

Lopez had pulled out of performing at the Opening Ceremony just 72 hours earlier, citing unspecified "production issues".

But a last-minute U-turn saw her, Pitbull and Leitte conclude the Ceremony in front of a full house of more than 60,000 fans.

Some viewers, however, took to social media to complain about the sound levels, saying parts of what was being sung could not be deciphered.

The 25-minute Opening Ceremony kicked off with a giant LED ball flashing welcome messages in each of the 32 languages of the qualifying countries.

Organisers split the Ceremony into four parts, culminating in the "reveal" segment, when the musical trio made their appearance, emerging from inside the LED ball.

The colourful Opening Ceremony was divided into four parts, as organisers sought to show off Brazil's culture and diversity ©FIFA via Getty Images



Performers from dance schools brightened the inside of the stadium dressed as symbols of Brazil's natural landscape, with men on stilts dressed as rainforest trees.

Four giant drums in the four corners of the stadium sent the sounds of the performance reverberating through the crowd, with the culture and diversity of the Latin American country celebrated.

The Ceremony attempted to steer away from some of the things most stereotypically associated with Brazil, such as carnivals, as organisers sought to show a different side to the country.

Once the performances had ended, players from Brazil and Croatia took to the pitch to warm-up for their Group A clash.

The match got off to the worst possible start for the hosts, with Marcelo conceding an own goal.

Two goals from Neymar, including a controversial penalty, and a late toe poke by Oscar, saw Brazil run out 3-1 winners.

But the contest was marred by protests, including in Rio de Janeiro.

Some on Copacabana beach threw objects at a television compound where international broadcasters are airing their coverage from.

Police were quick to intervene, but with many in Brazil angry at the cost of staging the tournament, further protests look likely.