| World Cup 2014? Brazil is the only remaining official candidate to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup after Colombia withdrew its bid on April 11, 2007. The Brazilian bid was officially launched on December 13, 2006 [5] by Ricardo Teixeira, the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, who signed the letter of candidacy in Tokyo in the presence of CONMEBOL president Nicolas Leoz and CONMEBOL general secretary Eduardo De Luca.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter stated on July 4, 2006 that the 2014 World Cup would probably be held in the country, though he acknowledged in earlier comments that the country did not have any stadia ready for the Cup at the moment. On September 28, he met with the Brazilian President Lula and was quoted as saying he wants the country to prove its capabilities before making a decision. "But the ball is on Brazil's court now," he said [6]. In September 2006, Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva confirmed Blatter's opinion, declaring: "We don?t have any stadium which is in a condition to host World Cup games. We?re going to have to build at least 12 new stadiums in this country.?
Potential host cities are already preparing for the tournament. CBF and government officials have toured many cities and stadia in the latest months, and 18 states have applied to host World Cup matches. However, the actual number of host cities is expected to be much lower, as FIFA stipulates a minimum of eight and a maximum of ten.
On 31 July 2007, Brazil's bid became official, when the Brazilian Football Confederation president, Mr. Ricardo Teixeira, delivered personally to FIFA president, Mr. Joseph Blatter, a document containing Brazil's hosting stadia and other required information concerning plans in improvevents for general infrastructure and about finances, though more details about this document are unknown. [7]
Australia, USA, and Venezuela are Brasil's main rivals for the bid, but as of now it looks like it will be in Brasil. |