Support Brazil, Dilma Rousseff tells nation in recorded speech

Brazil's president has taken to the prime-time airwaves to deliver a pre-recorded speech to try to rally the nation behind the World Cup, which has stoked countless protests from those angered by the billions spent on the event opening early tomorrow morning (Hong Kong time).

President Dilma Rousseff rebuked the "pessimists" who are against the Cup, saying they have already lost. She called on all Brazilians to support the national team regardless of their political persuasion or whether they fully agree with hosting the event.

Rousseff also defended the US$11.5 billion spent on the Cup. Three out of every four Brazilians polled say they are convinced corruption has tinged the myriad works related to it.

An investigation earlier this year found that big construction firms responsible for building the bulk of the stadiums, roads and other works had dramatically increased their campaign contributions since Brazil was named host of the tournament.

Much of that money was funnelled to Rousseff's ruling Workers' Party, though spending also went to the opposition.

In one case, top builder Andrade Gutierrez, which has helped build or renovate four stadiums, raised campaign contributions 500-fold from one election to the next after it was determined which 12 cities would host matches.

That stoked anger and increased suspicions over collusion between politicians and the big builders - especially after reports from government auditors began to surface, indicating massive cost overruns along with allegations of price-gouging, principally in the building of stadiums. For instance, the cost of the stadium in Brasilia, a city with no major professional soccer team, has nearly tripled to US$900 million from original price estimates published by the government.