"Three Lions" is the official nickname of the England football team, inspired by the crest on the jerseys. But these furry fans ended up heartbroken and weeping like the Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz after a 2-1 loss to Uruguay sealed England's early exit from the tournament.
Feathers, face paint, tiger mask, sunglasses — this Colombian fan had it all during the match against Greece at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte on June 14.
One happy fan shows off her support for Italy, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, Brazil and Bosnia with tiny flags sticking out from her braids. While she seemed somewhat divided in her loyalties, at least she will always have a team to cheer for.
Looking suspiciously like Captain America tackling Godzilla, this Chilean fan suited up superhero-style for the Chile-Australia match on June 13, which Chile won 3-1.
Mexican fans held up cutouts of Javier Hernandez, Brazil's David Luiz and — bizarrely — Arnold Schwarzenegger while walking into Arena Castelao for the Brazil-Mexico match on June 17.
An obsessed fan from Argentina went to great lengths to paint a perfect, intricate flag across his face, complete with sparkles and blue-dyed hair.
Many fans pray to God for their team to win, but one Argentine turned to Pope Francis — who is from Buenos Aires — for inspiration, by wearing mask and papal robes to the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte on June 20.
Dubbed the Socceroos, Australian fans packed a punch in kangaroo costumes and blue man suits for their match against the Netherlands. There were many weeping marsupials later in the day, however, when the Aussies were sent back down under after a 2-3 defeat.
One Brazilian fan embraced his country's flag and its native flora in a colorful hat featuring lizards — and even dinosaurs — as he headed into the opening match between Brazil and Croatia, which the host nation won 3-1.
Nicknamed the "Indomitable Lions," the Cameroon team and its fans tried to prove they were king of the jungle before the match against Croatia in the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus, which they went on to lose 4-0.
A number of German teams — including Bayern Munich and Herta Berlin — have a bear as their mascot, so before facing (and beating) Portugal, these fans suited up with letters on their chests spelling out J-O-G-I, for Germany's coach Joachim "Jogi" Low.
This American fan used the opening match against Ghana as a good excuse to show off his stars-and-stripes Speedo and physique.
Even crosses, prayer beads and maps of Africa couldn't help Ghana fans, as they celebrated and then commiserated during the 2-1 loss to the U.S. at the Arena das Dunas in Natal on June 16.
The Italian fans ripped off their shirts and shook their tail feathers before beating England in their opening match in the Amazon on June 14.
An Ivory Coast fan supported the team that is nicknamed the Elephants by wearing "CNSE" on his hat — which means "Comite national de soutien aux elephants" (national committee for the support of elephants) — during the match against Japan.
Japanese fans went all out with elaborate headwear for the game against Greece, but unfortunately neither team managed to score and it ended in a 0-0 draw.
Dragons are common in Russian folklore, so why not on the football pitch? This fan decided that three heads were better than one for the match between Russia and South Korea on June 17.
Is this a wrestling match or the World Cup? One serious Mexican fan combined both sports with a traditional mask and cape as he held up a replica of the World Cup trophy before the victory over Cameroon.
This rambunctious — or possessed? — Netherlands fan packed healthy snacks on the side of his costume, hanging carrots from his helmet for the match against Spain, in which his team thrashed the world champions 5-1. It was the worst loss for Spain in the game’s showcase tournament since a 6-1 defeat to Brazil in 1950.
There is no question who this Portuguese fan's favorite player is. Like millions around the world, he was cheering for superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in the match against Germany on June 16. Although Portugal lost that day, they went on to tie the U.S. 2-2 on June 22.
A very cheerful Swiss fan showed off his nautical headgear before the Group E World Cup match between Switzerland and France on June 20.
Masked fans from Uruguay got into character before facing Costa Rica on June 14. They would lose that match but go on to destroy England's World Cup dreams with two goals from Luis Suarez.
Greek fans fortunately have an easy symbol when it comes to face-painting their allegiance. But a 0-0 draw to Japan on June 19 didn't give anyone satisfaction.
Before the Ghana vs. U.S. match at Arena das Dunas in Natal, one fan showed off his dedication in giant sunglasses.