Squatters driven out by high rent prices near World Cup venue invade land in Brazil

About 5,000 impoverished Brazilians have taken over land near the World Cup stadium hosting the opening match of soccer's biggest tournament, saying the arena's construction is to blame for rent increases that drove them out of their homes.

The families are braving insects, little food and a lack of privacy as they cling to pieces of land in a 37-acre (150,000-square-meter) field nestled in the green hills of eastern Sao Paulo.

The residents of the new tent village about 2 miles away (3.5 kilometers) from the stadium say neighborhood rents rose amid World Cup real-estate fever.

The families said they hope the government will sympathize with them and help them secure new homes.