The 2014 World Cup begins on June 12, when Brazil plays Croatia in the opening match. Reporters and editors for The Times will count down to the start of the tournament each day with a short capsule of news and interesting tidbits.

Anyone waiting for a visa and with plans to travel to Brazil from the United States or Europe will have to wait a little longer.

Workers in 17 Brazilian consulates in the United States and Europe began a two-day strike Tuesday, only weeks before the start of the World Cup. The strike is supposed to last only through Wednesday.

Employees at the Brazilian foreign ministry are seeking an increase in salary indexed to inflation, saying their wages have been frozen for the last three to five years. Brazilian officials, who have been stung by violent protests at home and delays in the construction of stadiums for the tournament, have said that visa processing has only been delayed, not halted, by the strike, particularly at nine consulates and one embassy, but they did not specify which ones.