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FIFA confirms Brazil as 2014 Cup host

Brazil, the only candidate, was confirmed yesterday as host of the 2014 World Cup.

FIFA's executive committee met to decide on the 2014 host, but the outcome was a formality. Brazil was left as the sole candidate after Colombia pulled out of the running in April.

It is the first time since 1950 that the privilege has been bestowed on the country that calls itself "the land of the football boot."

Brazil has won the World Cup a record five times.

"The executive committee has decided unanimously to give the responsibility, not only the right, but the responsibility to organize FIFA's World Cup 2014 to the country Brazil," FIFA president Sepp Blatter said.

Blatter then handed the World Cup trophy to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who flew in for the event.

"Soccer is not only a sport for us. It's more than that," Lula said. "Soccer for us is a passion, a national passion."

He promised that Brazil "will now with great pride do its homework."

And, he added, "if everything works out well, we will win once again a World Cup."

Taking part in Brazil's 30-minute presentation were Brazilian Sports Minister Orlando Silva, Brazilian Football Confederation president Ricardo Teixeira, national coach Dunga and veteran striker-turned-coach Romario.

"But there is something missing in this candidature," Blatter said. "It is beautiful. There are the guarantees, we have the governors, everything, but the competition was lacking. And football is competition."

Blatter said the lack of competition from other South American nations was one of the reasons behind FIFA's decision on Monday to do away with the rotation system that gave each continent a turn at hosting the World Cup. The decision goes into effect starting with the 2018 tournament.

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. Brazil has 10 of the world's largest soccer stadiums.

But there have been delays in hosting some major events, problems with violence in the streets and the public transportation system in the country is often overloaded.

Result of a 2010 World Cup first-round, second-leg match yesterday:

India 2, Lebanon 2 (Lebanon win 6-3 on aggregate).
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