World Cup opening ceremony to begin shortly; here are 5 reasons why you must watch it

Pop superstar Jennifer Lopez and hundreds of dancers, drummers and gymnasts will deliver a pre-match extravaganza to open the World Cup at 11.45pm on Thursday. We are sure Brazil is going to get it right. Here's why.

Pop superstar Jennifer Lopez, hundreds of dancers, drummers and gymnasts, and a paraplegic who will kick a football in a robotic suit will deliver a pre-match extravaganza to open the World Cup at 11.45pm on Thursday.

More than 60,000 fans will be in Sao Paulo's Corinthians Arena, including 12 heads of state and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and around one billion people are expected to watch the opening ceremony and match on TV.

The spotlight will then shift to the field with Brazil taking on Croatia in the opening match.

While a poor opening ceremony could dampen your spirits, we are sure Brazil is going to get it right. Here's why:

1. A paraplegic 'Iron Man'
Yes. You read it right. A paraplegic whose identity has been kept a secret will step out of his (or her) wheelchair and into the most awesome suit ever. And that's not it, this superhero(ine) will also take the tournament's first kick using brain signals.

The Iron Man-like suit a paraplegic will wear to kick first ball of the World Cup, created by Brazilian scientist Miguel Nicolelis and his team in Sao Paulo, Brazil (AFP Photo/Ho)

Indian football players pose for a picture during a training session in Bhopal (EPA Photo)