Brazil just hosted the world’s most highly anticipated and watched tournament, the 2014 FIFA World Cup. In a country that lives, breathes and sweats soccer, Brazil hosted 64 matches in 12 cities in either new or renovated stadiums. The final matches took place in Rio de Janeiro at Maracanã Stadium, which was renovated to hold 90,000 highly-charged spectators.

The stakes were high. Each participating team received at least $8 million, and the champions received $35 million. According to media reports, FIFA allocated $576 million for the two-week event – a new record.