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).
Soccer officials yesterday offered “full support and assistance” to the Iranian team in Australia for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup after the US and Israel launched massive attacks on their homeland. Iran’s 26-strong squad arrived on the Gold Coast days before the strikes on Saturday killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as Washington and Tel Aviv seek to topple the Islamic republic. They are due to open their tournament today against South Korea. The AFC in a statement said it “continues to closely monitor the recent developments in the Middle East during this challenging period.” “The AFC’s foremost priority remains the welfare, safety and
ROAD RASH: Marc Marquez retired after a crash, marking the first time after 88 consecutive races stretching back to 2021 that a Ducati bike failed to make the podium Marco Bezzecchi yesterday won the MotoGP season-opening grand prix in Thailand from pole position as defending world champion Marc Marquez retired late with a buckled wheel. Aprilia’s Bezzecchi led from start to finish to top the podium in Buriram, with KTM’s Pedro Acosta second and Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez third. Ducati’s Marquez is chasing a record-equaling eighth world title this season, but he exited the race in dramatic fashion while in fourth place with five laps to go. The Spaniard, who started from second on the grid, took a corner wide, with the jolt to his bike dislodging the rear tire, badly damaging his
EVERY DAY A VICTORY: Players on the women’s team faced pressure from society just getting out onto the field as they prepare for their first Women’s Asian Cup game today Bangladesh’s national soccer team face daunting odds at their first-ever Women’s Asian Cup, but have already scored a major victory by qualifying. In the South Asian nation of 170 million, social stigma, family expectations, poverty and religious hardliners have long relegated women and girls to sports sidelines. The first women’s soccer league matches took place in 2011 and the squad, known to fans as the Red and Green, have kept pressing forward despite deeply embedded prejudices. “Many more girls would have joined us if the community had been even slightly supportive,” captain Afeida Khandaker told AFP ahead of her side’s March 3
Liverpool on Tuesday suffered an embarrassing 2-1 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers as Andre’s stoppage-time strike sealed a dramatic victory for the English Premier League’s bottom club. Arne Slot’s side fell behind to Rodrigo Gomes’ strike in the closing stages at Molineux. Mohamed Salah hauled Liverpool level with his first goal in 11 top-flight games dating back to November last year. However, Andre’s first goal for Wolves inflicted the latest humbling loss in a chastening season for Liverpool. It was the first time the Premier League’s bottom club had beaten the reigning champions since Crystal Palace defeated Chelsea in 2017. Liverpool
RSS