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Affordable Accommodation and Match Day Travel in Brazil MIKE TOTH
Steep hotel prices sure make it difficult for many soccer fans to afford a trip to this summer’s World Cup. However, an alternative exists. READ MORE
ESPN releases 2014 World Cup schedule
PAUL KENNEDY ESPN will air all 64 games from the 2014 World Cup. ESPN will televise 43 matches, while ESPN2 will air 11 and ABC will show 10, including the final. All games will also be available on all available on WatchESPN (ESPN and ESPN2 matches) or WATCH ABC (ABC matches). READ MORE
Brazil & France shine, Argentina struggle With fewer than 100 days to go until the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, numerous participants were in friendly action on Wednesday, including Argentina, who drew 0-0 with Romania, and host nation Brazil, who put five goals past South Africa in Johannesburg. Among the fixtures involving two qualified teams, Spain defeated Italy (1-0), Portugal saw off Cameroon 5-1 in Leiria, France confirmed their return to form with an impressive 2-0 victory over the Netherlands, and Germany were forced to dig deep to beat Chile. England, meanwhile, overcame Denmark 1-0. The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be the 20th FIFA World Cup, an international men's football tournament, that is scheduled to take place in Brazil from 12 June to 13 July 2014.[1] It will be the second time
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BOB KOEP
Quarterfinal of the European Champions League is featuring the absolute best soccer clubs in the world. Two English, two German, three Spanish and the brilliant Paris St Germain will battle it out for what seems to be the greatest show in years. READ MORE
Best performances in a FIFA competition:
FIFA World Cup Finals History So demanding are the Brazilian faithful, even a Seleção squad that finishes runners-up at a FIFA World Cup finals cannot be sure what kind of reception they will get on their return home. The only nation to have taken part in every edition of the elite competition, Brazil have lifted the coveted Trophy on a record five occasions (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002), finished in second place twice (1950 and 1998) and taken the last spot on the podium at another two editions (1938 and 1978).
THIS THE BEST YOU CAN HAVE
FIFA World Cup Sweden 1958, Chile 1962, Mexico 1970, USA 1994, Korea/Japan 2002 (Winners), FIFA U-20 World Cup Mexico 1983, USSR 1985, Australia 1993, UAE 2003 (Winners), FIFA U-17 World Cup Egypt 1997, New Zealand 1999, Finland 2003 (Winners), FIFA Confederations Cup Saudi Arabia 1997, Germany 2005, South Africa 2009 (Winners) Former stars: Garrincha, Pele, Ronaldo Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in both South America and the Latin American region. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population. Wikipedia
that Brazil has hosted the competition, the previous being in 1950. Brazil was elected unchallenged as host nation in 2007 after the international football federation, FIFA, decreed that the tournament would be staged in South America for the first time since 1978 in Argentina, and the fifth time overall. The national teams of 31 countries advanced through qualification competitions that began in June 2011 to participate with the host nation Brazil in the final tournament. A total of 64 matches are to be played in twelve cities across Brazil in either new or redeveloped stadiums, with the tournament beginning with a group stage. For the first time at a World Cup Finals, the matches will use goal-line technology.
THE KEY PLAYERS Striker Neymar is already being hailed as a man capable of playing a key role for the five-time world champions come Brazil 2014. Currently among the supporting cast in attack is the youngster’s former Santos team-mate Robinho, while Barcelona’s Dani Alves is a lung-bursting presence on the flank. Between the sticks, veteran goalkeeper Julio Cesar exudes confidence and security to the rest of the backline.
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2 0 1 4 Wo r l d C u p : P r e s s u r e s t a r t i n g t o r i s e f o r h o s t s B r a z i l Fifa has been somewhat placated by very strong ticket sales. Corporate hospitality packages, in particular, have proved much easier to sell than was the case for South Africa
Unpredictability is in the very nature of a cup competition. A bad 15 minutes, a red card, a single refereeing error could all be enough to end the dream.
four years ago. The lure of Brazil as a venue continues to be powerful,
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and his staff are thoroughly happy with the progress they made last year, when they
but, with less than 100 days to go, there are still some unanswered questions.
found the balance of their team, won the Confederations Cup
WILL THE STRAGGLING STADIUMS BE READY? FURTHER MISHAPS IN SAO PAULO, CURITIBA OR MANAUS WILL LEAVE THOSE CITIES CUTTING THINGS VERY FINE. Will the airport capacity be able to cope? Once the
By Tim Vickery South American football writer "We're working in conditions where the cement is not yet dry," said Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke as preparations for the 2014 World Cup move towards the final straight. The strain is showing on Valcke. Fifa wanted all 12 stadiums ready by December, to give plenty of time for test events. Sao Paulo, scene of the opening game, may not be handed over until May. Curitiba got itself so far behind that there was a real danger of the city being cut from the schedule. The BBC's Wyre Davies says Maracana Stadium is one of the few to have met a Fifa deadline for completion Another obligation that some host cities have been trying to wriggle out of is the organization of Fan Fests.Again, Fifa is inflexible. The Fan Fests, it says, are an integral part of the World Cup and an essential part of the Host City Agreement signed with them.
group phase has finished, hundreds of thousands of fans will be making quick arrangements to move across this giant country. Will the protestors be out in force? No one saw the protest movement coming last year, when Brazilians surprised themselves by taking to the streets to express their discontent. Will the security operation be able to cope? Having to protect, on a national basis, the stadiums, the teams, the Fan Fests, tourist zones and the streets will stretch resources. AND WE CAN PROBABLY ADD ANOTHER QUESTION, ONE LIKELY TO HAVE A HUGE EFFECT ON THE TONE OF THE TOURNAMENT. HOW WILL THE HOME TEAM PERFORM? An early elimination for Brazil would change everything. Usually, when such an event occurs, the feel on the streets for a couple of days is like a death in the family, and millions simply switch off from the World Cup.
make its verdict and Scolari
for protestors.
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made him top scorer in last year's Libertadores recently. But Scolari has shown faith in his regular choices.
A masterstroke of man-management or a missed opportunity? History will
environment, the local authorities are concerned about being seen to spend money on football-related matters, and worried that the Fan Fests will prove a convenient extra target
true today as it was eight decades ago, as Valcke's stress levels make clear.
hero of the Confederations Cup, is still only gingerly making his way back from long-term injury. His reserve is Jo, who has not shown the form that
But he has shown faith in his regular choices. Fred and Jo are on their way to South Africa.
of exposure for Fifa's commercial partners. Once again, in an unpredictably turbulent political
commented Peter Fleming, brother of the James Bond novelist, Ian, back in the 1930s. His observation remains as
goalkeeper and centre-forward. Up front, there would seem to be no doubts. Fred, the
History will make its verdict - and the judgement begins in 100 days.chance to look at options in a position where Brazil are not at their strongest.
It is not hard to understand Valcke's position. At Germany 2006, 3.5 million people went to the matches, while 18 million visited the Fan Fests, making them valuable points
Renovation work on Curitiba's stadium has been way behind schedule "A man in a hurry will always be unhappy in Brazil,"
and got the fans behind them. After that, they went on to add options and variations to their repertoire. Doubts have opened up, though, in two vital positions -
The 12 host cities which will stage World Cup matches in Brazil in June 2014
judgement begins less than 100 days.
This time, on home ground, with such anger at the way the tournament has been organised, the stakes are higher. The risk is that disappointment with the team could further fuel the fire of popular discontent.
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