Werá Jeguaka Mirim protested on behalf of the country’s indigenous population.
According to Brazilian news site G1, a protest took place at the opening ceremony, but the TV cameras ignored it.
Luiz Pires / CGY / Via Facebook: yvyrupa
The site reports that Werá Jeguaka Mirim was one of three children who released white doves just before the kick-off of the first game, between Brazil and Croatia.
CGY / Via Facebook: yvyrupa
As he left the field, he opened a banner calling for new boundaries for Brazil's indigenous lands. Pictures of the boy's protest were posted on the Comissão Guarani Yvyrupa (CGY) Facebook page.
The Guarani are an indigenous people from South America's interior. The CGY describes itself as "an autonomous political organization that brings together the Guarani people of the villages located in the South and Southeast of Brazil in the common struggle for land."
There is currently a new law called PEC 215 being debated in the Brazilian legislature. It would transfer the power to demarcate their ancestral lands from the federal government to Congress, and has caused protests.
CGY / Via Facebook: yvyrupa
Earlier this month Guarani Indians used their bows and arrows to stop drivers from passing a roadblock they imposed in front of the Sao Paulo State legislature.
Via LUNAE PARRACHO / Reuters /Landov