More than 2,000 demonstrators took to the streets in a peaceful protest over the cost of staging the tournament, some chanting: "If we have no rights, there will be no Cup."

But as day turned to night, there were sporadic acts of violence.

Some destroyed an empty police car, with others smashed the windows of shops and banks and set vehicles on fire.

Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets in an attempt to disperse the crowd.

One family had to be helped out of their burning car after it drove over a barricade of fire started by protesters.

The glass windows of an agency bank were smashed by protesters during the demonstrations ©Getty Images


"We are against the millions and millions of dollars being spent for the Cup," university student Leonardo Pelegrini dos Santos told Associated Press.

There were smaller demonstrations in other Brazilian cities including Rio de Janeiro, but it was Sao Paulo that saw the largest turnout.

During last year's Confederations Cup - used as an event to test Brazil's infrastructure for the upcoming World Cup - more than a million people were estimated to have been involved in protests across the nation.

They were angry over rising transport costs, the country's ongoing issues with corruption and the cost of hosting the World Cup and the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Protestors were repelled with tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets.

More than 2,000 people took to the streets of Sao Paulo, some chanting: 'If we have no rights, there will be no Cup' ©AFP/Getty Images


The World Cup has been beset by problems.

Six of the 12 stadiums failed to meet the December 31 deadline given to them by FIFA, with Curitiba given until February 18 to prove it can host its four scheduled matches.

Accidents over recent months have seen three workers killed at stadiums in São Paulo and Manaus.

And delays with roads, airports and hotels are also a cause for concern.

The problems caused FIFA President Sepp Blatter to tell Swiss newspaper 24 Heures earlier this month: "No country has been so far behind in preparations since I have been at FIFA even though it is the only host nation which has had so much time - seven years - in which to prepare."

The World Cup is due to begin in Sao Paulo on June 12, with the final in Rio de Janeiro on July 13.