MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Several world leaders expected for the coming World Cup in Brazil

They include Cristina Fernandez, Michelle Bachelet, Juan Manuel Santos, Jose Mujica, Joe Biden, and even Vladimir Putin

The Brazilian government is counting on a strong presence from world leaders during the football World Cup, which kicks off on June 12. Cristina Fernández, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US vice-president Joe Biden are among the dignitaries expected to attend.

 Sources from the presidential seat in Brazil, Planalto Palace predicted that CFK was practically certain to visit during the competition. Chile's Michelle Bachelet, Uruguay's Jose Mujica and Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia were also mentioned by Bandeirantes as leaders from South America who would be in attendance.

Biden would head a US delegation to the tournament, which will take place in cities across Brazil, and would arrive in the north-eastern city Natal on June 16 to watch his nation face Ghana.

It would be the first such contact between the two nations since the NSA spying revelations strained relations in 2013.

“I will be honored by the visit, which will increase Brazil's prestige,” President Dilma Rousseff revealed when questioned over a possible meeting with Biden.

Russia's Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, could also be among the dignitaries taking in next month's football extravaganza. The politician, in the spotlight worldwide due to the ongoing crisis in eastern Ukraine, could combine a visit with a summit involving the other nations who make up the BRICS group - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.