The Brazilian government is struggling to deal with major protests around the country in the leadup to next year's World Cup football finals.
Widespread unrest continues to overshadow the Confederations Cup in Rio de Janeiro, but government officials insist they have not lost control of the streets.
Thousands of protestors are expected to march on Maracana Stadium on Friday, when the World Cup winners Spain play Tahiti in the eight-team tournament, a test event for next year's World Cup finals.
The demonstrations which started as small protests in a few cities have ballooned into a national movement underlined by demands for more money for essential services like education, health and public transportation.
