BRAZIL

Brazil presents 2014 WC bid
AFP, ZURICH

July 31: Brazil, the only candidate bidding to host the 2014 World Cup, on Tuesday officially presented its bid at the headquarters of world football's governing body FIFA in Zurich.
"We represent 180 million Brazilians and I am 100 percent sure that Brazil has, at 100 per cent, the capability of organising an event of this magnitude," said Romario.
The 1994 World Cup star was a member of the Brazilian delegation which was headed by Brazilian federation (CBF) president Ricardo Teixeira and included Rui Rodrigues, who played a key role in pushing forward the Brazilian candidature, and noted author Paulo Coelho.
Following the one-hour long presentation, Teixeira handed over to FIFA the 900-paged candidature dossier that was divided into four volumes.
Rio de Janeiro, and its mythic Maracana stadium, is one of 18 cities to throw their hat into the ring to host matches, but the final figure is likely to be between eight and 12 cities.
The chosen venues will be announced in 2008, if Brazil win the right to organise the event.
FIFA and the Brazilian delegation have refused to disclose the budget necessary to host the World Cup, which was last held on Brazilian soil in 1950 when the hosts lost in the final to Uruguay. A FIFA delegation headed by American Hugo Salcedo, director of FIFA's Goal project, will visit Brazil at the end of August.
The delegation, comprised of six members, will be charged with inspecting the 18 venues and to check whether the dossier "corresponds to the reality" according to the FIFA president Joseph Blatter.
World football's governing body will decide on October 30 if Brazil is to become the official organiser of the 2014 World Cup.
If Brazil fails to convince, FIFA will "renew the nomination procedure," revealed Blatter.