Brazilians are a soccer-loving bunch, except when the sport diverts taxpayer dollars that would otherwise be spent on improving the country’s infrastructure. The 2014 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 12 with a match in São Paulo, but according to soccer blog 101 Great Goals, “the protests and anger that scarred the Confederations Cup last summer is still very fresh in the memory.”

Many Brazilians are incensed to watch their taxes being spent on stadiums, while there are people in poverty, public works in need of improvement, and drugs and violence to be eradicated. It doesn’t help that FIFA, the organization that runs the World Cup, allegedly has reserves of around $1.4 billion, and still expects the Brazilian government to bankroll the eight-week World Cup showboat.

While the artist duo Os Gêmeos decorated the Brazilian national soccer team’s plane for the World Cup, other Brazilian street artists have had an opposite reaction, taking to the streets to express their anger through art. The resulting resulting street art movement has become known very matter-of-factly as “F*** FIFA,” and has resulted in some pretty incredible paintings. The situation serves as a prime example of how street art can serve as a mouthpiece for minorities and those displeased with the powers that be. We’ll certainly be keeping our eyes peeled for more “F*** FIFA” works as the World Cup approaches and the dialogue continues.

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