2014 FIFA World Cup latest news
30th October 2007
2014 World Cup host announced by FIFA
As expected, FIFA president Sepp Blatter today announced that the hosts of the 2014 World Cup will be Brazil.
Speaking in Zurich, Blatter emphasised strongly that Brazil has not only the right but also the responsibility to host the World's top sporting competition. Rudimentary facilities and infrastructure are doubtless a worry with the tournament still 7 years away but FIFA's inspectors appear to be satisfied that Brazil can host a successful World Cup.
The inspection report stated Brazil was "more than capable of hosting an exceptional World Cup", but added that "surprisingly, most of the stadiums are not equipped for TV commentators. In fact, many of them will use TV commentary positions for the first time thanks to the projects and the necessary Fifa requirements for staging a World Cup."
The 2014 World Cup bidding process was weakened following Colombia's withdrawal from proceedings in April of this year. The failure of a competitive bidding process was surely on the mind of FIFA when the rotational policy - which sees the hosting of the World Cup move around the continents - was scrapped for 2018 - a decision which could see England hosting the 2018 tournament.
FIFA also announced today that Germany will stage the 2011 Women's World Cup. Following the hugely successful Men's World Cup in 2006, Germany was chosen ahead of Canada by the FIFA Executive Committee.