- The Washington Times - Monday, April 14, 2014

Vice President Joseph Biden will get a taste of “joga bonito” — the beautiful game — by traveling to Brazil this June to cheer on the U.S. national team in the World Cup, the White House said Monday.

Mr. Biden will attend one of the U.S. team’s games, but that’s all that’s known at this time.

In group play, the United States plays Ghana on June 16 in the city of Natal, Portugal, on June 22 in Manaus and Germany on June 26 in Recife.

The tough draw has been labeled the dreaded “group of death.” Ghana played a key role in the U.S. team’s departure from the last two World Cups, and Germany is a perennial superpower.

Mr. Biden’s trip could give the administration a chance to build up good will in the South American country. It comes about nine months after Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff canceled her official state visit to the White House last year, angered by revelations of U.S. spying on her and major Brazilian state institutions.

• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.

Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.