The road to Rio is set to start in Manchester as the National Football Museum kicks off celebrations to begin the 100-day countdown.

The most famous party on the planet is coming to the city on 4^th March and If there are two things that Mancunians and Brazilians have in common, it’s a love for football and having a party.

Never mind Copacabana Beach, Sugar Loaf Mountain and Christ The Redeemer because the party starts on your doorstep. There’s no need to make the 6,000-mile pilgrimage, the party is coming to you.

To celebrate the occasion, the National Football Museum will be hosting an all day Brazilian bonanza with Samba dancing and drumming, Brazilian inspired food and drink and all things football.

There will be Capoeira workshops and free face painting for younger guests and all the museum’s popular Football Plus+ interactives will be free all day long for all visitors.

Commencing at 1pm, the celebrations will continue out of normal museum hours until 8pm.

Visitors to the museums will also be able to discover the rich history of the tournament and the England national team in the world’s biggest collection of football memorabilia and home of the FIFA Collection.

Key objects include the 1966 World Cup Final ball, the Jules Rimet Trophy and Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” shirt from Mexico 1986.

Museum Director Kevin Moore said:

What’s a  more appropriate way to celebrate the countdown landmark than to bring a taste of Rio to the National Football Museum. This year’s competition is set to be an unforgettable one and excitement is already building. We hope that fans will see the National Football Museum as a great place to celebrate this year’s tournament in the city.