FIFA confirms 12 venues for World Cup 2014 in Brazil

FIFA confirms 12 venues for World Cup 2014 in Brazil

BRASILIA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- President of the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) Joseph Blatter confirmed on Wednesday that 12 Brazilian cities will host the World Cup 2014.

Blatter announced the decision after meeting with the president of the Brazilian Confederation of football, Ricardo Teixeira, Brazilian former football player Pele, Sao Paulo's governor Jose Serra, Sao Paulo's mayor Gilberto Kassab and director of TV chain Globo, Marcelo Campos Pinto.


Sao Paulo's Governor Jose Serra (L) and FIFA's president Sepp Blatter smile during a visit to the Soccer Museum in Sao Paulo January 28, 2009.

"We finally give Brazil the possibility of hosting the World Cup, and see the fooball to reborn. Brazil is a subcontinent, and we are going to divide the Cup in 12 different units. The FIFA will help the organization," Blatter said in a speech at the Bandeirantes Palace, the government of Sao Paulo.

The FIFA committee will evaluate between Jan. 30 and Feb. 7 theconditions of 17 candidate cities, including Porto Alegre, Florianopolis, Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia,Goiania, Campo Grande, Cuiaba, Rio Branco, Manaus, Belen, Salvador, Recife, Natal, Fortaleza and Sao Paulo.

The cities of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre and Brasilia are practically confirmed to host the Cup 2014.

"In this moment of world financial crisis, we need emotions given by football. The FIFA promises to work hard to give the World Cup 2014 a real passion," Blatter said.

After the meeting with Blatter, Serra said that the opening of the World Cup 2014 will be in Sao Paulo and suggested Rio de Janeiro to host the closing.