World Cup 2014: Google releases Street View tours of stadiums and tourist attractions in Brazil

Anyone who missed out on a ticket can run around the pitch from home

The Arena da Amazonia (Google Street View)

If you missed out on a ticket to the World Cup, you can take a tour of Brazil’s stadiums and tourist attractions from home.

Google has released Street View tours of the 12 stadiums where matches will kick off in a week as well as the traditional “painted streets” dedicated to football.

The internet giant has heralded the pictures as a “digital legacy of the 2014 games for years to come”, although the empty stands somewhat lack the atmosphere of a home game.

Virtual tours of sites across Brazil, including the Iguacu National Park and world heritage site Saint Michael of the Missions are also available.

Google is expanding its images of other South American countries, including Peru, Chile, Colombia and Mexico.

Nine workers have died in the run-up to the World Cup and Brazil’s preparations have been beset by a series of violent protests, missed deadlines and a last minute frenzy of infrastructure improvements.

Organisers have insisted that the incomplete roof at Sao Paulo's Itaquerao Stadium will not affect matches.

Several painted streets can be explored

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