2014, It Is Brazil
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FIFA have just announced that the 2014 FIFA World Cup has been awarded to Brazil. This will mark the second time that Brazil will host the most popular tournament in the world. The last time that Brazil hosted was in 1950. Brazil has won the World Cup an unprecendented five times and was the only candidate to host the 2014 edition of the event. At the Maracana Stadium, jubilent workers spread flags across the field reading, "Maracana is ours and so is the 2014 World Cup."
Brazil was the only candidate after the withdrawal of Colombia. Therefore Brazil was left as the only country to ask to play host for the World Cup chosen to played on the South American continent.
So how much will this cost the country? Early estimates place a price tag of around US$1.1 billion (€764,296,000) just for upgrading or building new stadiums and infrastructure. That number will obviously vary depending on which cities are chosen as host cities for the matches.
The 1950 World Cup should hold a special place in the hearts of United States soccer fans. It was during that World Cup when the USA played England in Belo Horizonte and came away with a famous 1-0 victory over the percieved best team in the world.
FIFA also announced that the 2014 World Cup will be the last one awarded based on a continental rotation system. That decision was based on the lack of candidates that applied for the 2014 event.
So good luck to Brazil and hopefully the USA will come away with more memorable victories from the Southern Hemisphere.
