Brazil has been named as the host nation for the 2014 football World Cup.
The South American country was the only one bidding to host the tournament, whic
h was due to be staged on the continent under Fifa's rotation system.
Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said: "Soccer is more than a sport
for us, it's a national passion."
Brazil have won the tournament a record five times and hosted the World Cup once
before, in 1950, when they lost 2-1 in the final to Uruguay.
It is the first time the World Cup is being held in South America since Argentin
a hosted, and won, the 1978 tournament.
Brazil is setting aside around ￡550m to update its stadiums, including the Mara
cana~ in Rio de Janeiro which hosted the 1950 World Cup final.
And that money will need to be spent wisely as Fifa's inspection report has iden
tified 18 grounds with more than 40,000 capacity that could host games. These wi
ll be whittled down to nine or 10.
However, of the 18, four would have to be re-built from scratch and all of the o
thers need to undergo substantial renovation.
So basic are the facilities at the moment that most of the stadia are not even e
quipped for television commentary.
Fifa president Blatter said, however, that he had been impressed by Brazil's pla
ns for 2014 despite the fact they were the only bidders.
"The task was not easy - for us it was a real big challenge to have the same lis
t of requirements and the same conditions for only one candidate," he said.
"There was an extraordinary presentation by the delegation and we witnessed that
this World Cup will have such a big social and cultural impact in Brazil.
"This is the country that has given to the world the best football and the best
footballers, and they are five times world champions."
Fifa's inspection report added: "Brazil has a rich history of hosting sporting a
nd other international events.
"But the standards and demands of the World Cup will far surpass those of any ot
her event staged in the history of Brazil in terms of magnitude and complexity.
"The inspection team wants Fifa experts to review the process and progress of ho
st city selection to ensure that adequate financing is committed and secured."
As news filtered through, celebrations broke out in various towns around the cou
ntry with fireworks and festivities set to continue into the night.
Around 100 people unfurled a green and yellow banner, emblazoned with the words
'The 2014 World Cup is ours', at the foot of the famous Christ the Redeemer stat
ue which overlooks Rio.
Meanwhile, women's world champions Germany will host the 2011 Women's World Cup
after beating off competition from Canada.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7068848.stm
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