It’s official. The futebol crazy and highly skilled country of Brazil has been confirmed by FIFA as the host nation for the 2014 World Cup. Celebrations broke out across cities as Brazil’s dream of hosting the entire footballing world became a reality! Fans took to the streets doing the samba until it resembled a sea of dancing green and yellow soccer jerseys! The year 2014 may be far, but you can be sure it’ll be a World Cup generations will remember. This one will surely be nostalgia and history in the making!
As FIFA’s President, Joseph S. Blatter, announced each of Brazil’s twelve host cities for the 2014 World Cup, spontaneous scenes of euphoria broke out in the mentioned cities! Across the nation, thousands and thousands of fans gathered in front of big screens waving the Brazilian flag. At some stadiums the national anthem was performed, while at others it was time for some samba reggae! If fireworks lit up the sky in a to-be host city, 40,000 green and white balloons gently flitted heavenward, in another. Patriotic fervor blended with a passionate love for the sport as fans painted stadiums yellow in their football jerseys! Soon, the party spilt out onto the streets where in true Brazilian style, music and dance held sway.
Brazil will have the honor of hosting the ultimate football event across the globe after a gap of 64 years; 64 years that saw Brazil contribute some of the finest moments and biggest legends in the history of football. This five time World Cup champion is already gearing itself up for the big event. Ricardo Teixeira, President of the Local Organizing Committee of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, delighted 190 million inhabitants when he called each one a winner and declared there will be many reasons to celebrate over the next five years! But he was also at pains to remind the people of the country that, “the 2014 World Cup is only just starting and all we have done is pass the entrance examination. We have five whole years ahead of us before we can graduate."
The last time Brazil hosted the tournament was back in 1950, when it lost the finals against Uruguay. Brazil’s selection makes it the fifth country to have ever hosted the football World Cup twice. With 500,000 fans expected in 2014, the cost of constructing and remodeling stadiums is pegged at more than $1.1 billion! In addition, millions will go into building modern infrastructure, including $2.46 billion towards upgrading its airports.
Ricardo Teixeira, President of the Football Confederation, pertinently pointed out that, "The World Cup goes far beyond a mere sporting event. It's going to be an interesting tool to promote social transformation." With thousands of tourists landing up in Brazil for the grandest of football events in 2014, the government has its work cut out – to showcase each of the 12 host cities with a view to boost tourism and investment. After all, with Brazil's natural beauty, vibrant city life, and phenomenal flair for football, the 20th World Cup promises to a fine football festival! Until then, get ready to enjoy the Brazilian team take centre stage in their World Cup soccer uniforms at South Africa next year! There’s another party to attend before the Brazilian samba takes over!
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