Brazil has been named as the host nation for the 2014 football World Cup. It is
the first time the World Cup is being held in South America since Argentina
hosted, and won, the 1978 tournament.
Brazil have won the tournament a record five times and hosted the World Cup once before, in 1950, when they lost 2-1 in the final to Uruguay. It is the first time the World Cup is being held in South America since Argentina hosted, and won, the 1978 tournament.
Brazil is setting aside around £550m to update its stadiums, including the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro which hosted the 1950 World
Cup final.
That money will be spent in several areas as Fifa's inspection report has identified
18 grounds with more than 40,000 capacity that could host games. These will be
whittled down to nine or 10 in time for the big kick off in 2014. For more information regarding the Stadia being used for the 2014 World Cup click on the Stadiums link.
THE BIDDING
Brazil will stage the FIFA World Cup in 2014. The South American country a hotbed of football which has produced some of the world's greatest players was the sole candidate to host the global game's major tournament in seven years' time.
FIFA President Joseph S Blatter said he had been impressed by Brazil's plans for 2014, despite the fact they were the only bidders following Colombia's withdrawal.
"There was an extraordinary presentation by the delegation and we witnessed that this World Cup will have such a big social and cultural impact in Brazil. This is the country that has given to the world the best football and the best footballers, and they are five-times world champions." uefa
Since several associations from different confederations have already declared their interest in bidding, FIFA came to the conclusion that, as from 2018, the bidding procedure should once again be open to all continents, except those parts of the world that have hosted the two previous tournaments.
While the country in general may be relatively poor, football fans from all over the world can look forward to a month of carnival style celebrations during the 2014 World Cup tournament with the added bonus of a fanatical home support for the boys in yellow as they search for yet another World Cup title, this time on home soil.
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