€627m bill for World Cup security

Brazil is setting aside about $856m (€627m) and preparing 157,000 soldiers and police officers for the massive World Cup security operation.

Defence minister Celso Amorim said Brazil was “perfectly prepared” to guarantee security for citizens and visitors to the dozen cities hosting the tournament beginning on June 12.

Justice minister Jose Eduardo Cardozo said authorities did not anticipate protests as intense as those seen during last year’s Confederations Cup, a warm-up for this year’s championship.

The ministers said the money would be used to buy equipment including patrol cars, aircraft, computers and non-lethal weapons, and for specialised training for issues such as terrorism prevention and handling explosives, as well as expanding intelligence services.