WC rights go to Brazil, Germany
Thursday, 1 November 2007
ZURICH, Oct 31 (AP): Brazil's long wait to stage the World Cup ended today when it was named the host nation for the 2014 finals.
Brazil was the only candidate to stage the world's largest and most lucrative single-sport tournament after its bid was approved by FIFA's technical delegation last week.
By the time the finals kickoff, 64 years will have passed since the South American country hosted the World Cup for the only other time.
The country with the most World Cup titles will finally get another chance to win one at home.
Brazil, which has won a record five World Cups, was awarded the right to host 2014 tournament Tuesday by FIFA's executive committee. The South American country hosted the competition once before, losing to Uruguay in the 1950 final.
The unanimous vote came on the same day the 2011 Women's World Cup was awarded to Germany. Germany, the host of the 2006 men's World Cup, beat out Canada.
After announcing Brazil as the 2014 host, Blatter handed the World Cup trophy to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who flew in for the event.
In Brazil, 50 mountain climbers hung an enormous national team jersey bearing the slogan "The 2014 World Cup is Ours" from majestic Sugar Loaf mountain in Rio de Janeiro. At the Maracana Stadium, workers spread jerseys across the field reading, "The new Maracana is ours and so is the 2014 World Cup."
Brazilian Sports Minister Orlando Silva, national team coach Dunga and veteran striker Romario were among those that also made the trip.
Since launching its bid, Brazil stressed that a World Cup will extend far beyond sports.
Tuesday's presentation was smoother than the one in July, which was laden with statistics and underlined Brazil's status as a developing nation with repeated images of its car factories.
Blatter had recently questioned Brazil's infrastructure and bid plans, but FIFA said last week that a stadium-inspection trip in August showed the country could put on an "exceptional" tournament.
However, there have been delays in hosting some major events, problems with violence in the streets and the country's public transportation system is often overloaded.
The Brazilian soccer confederation estimates that construction and remodeling of stadiums will cost about $1.1 billion, though that could vary significantly depending on the cities chosen to host games.
Blatter said the lack of competition from other South American nations was one reason behind FIFA's decision Monday to do away with the rotation system that gave each continent a turn at hosting the World Cup. The decision takes effect with the 2018 tournament.
Germany has won the last two Women's World Cup titles, including this year's tournament without conceding a goal. It also has won the European Championship six times.
Brazil was the only candidate to stage the world's largest and most lucrative single-sport tournament after its bid was approved by FIFA's technical delegation last week.
By the time the finals kickoff, 64 years will have passed since the South American country hosted the World Cup for the only other time.
The country with the most World Cup titles will finally get another chance to win one at home.
Brazil, which has won a record five World Cups, was awarded the right to host 2014 tournament Tuesday by FIFA's executive committee. The South American country hosted the competition once before, losing to Uruguay in the 1950 final.
The unanimous vote came on the same day the 2011 Women's World Cup was awarded to Germany. Germany, the host of the 2006 men's World Cup, beat out Canada.
After announcing Brazil as the 2014 host, Blatter handed the World Cup trophy to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who flew in for the event.
In Brazil, 50 mountain climbers hung an enormous national team jersey bearing the slogan "The 2014 World Cup is Ours" from majestic Sugar Loaf mountain in Rio de Janeiro. At the Maracana Stadium, workers spread jerseys across the field reading, "The new Maracana is ours and so is the 2014 World Cup."
Brazilian Sports Minister Orlando Silva, national team coach Dunga and veteran striker Romario were among those that also made the trip.
Since launching its bid, Brazil stressed that a World Cup will extend far beyond sports.
Tuesday's presentation was smoother than the one in July, which was laden with statistics and underlined Brazil's status as a developing nation with repeated images of its car factories.
Blatter had recently questioned Brazil's infrastructure and bid plans, but FIFA said last week that a stadium-inspection trip in August showed the country could put on an "exceptional" tournament.
However, there have been delays in hosting some major events, problems with violence in the streets and the country's public transportation system is often overloaded.
The Brazilian soccer confederation estimates that construction and remodeling of stadiums will cost about $1.1 billion, though that could vary significantly depending on the cities chosen to host games.
Blatter said the lack of competition from other South American nations was one reason behind FIFA's decision Monday to do away with the rotation system that gave each continent a turn at hosting the World Cup. The decision takes effect with the 2018 tournament.
Germany has won the last two Women's World Cup titles, including this year's tournament without conceding a goal. It also has won the European Championship six times.