World Cup 2014: Looking to the future in Brazil
With the 2010 World Cup almost over, all footballing eyes are now on Brazil in 2014. The next World Cup is all set to be an amazing encounter and will probably have all the flair and energy that is expected from the South American nation. There will be several teams to look out for in four years time and also hopefully goal line technology to aid referees. With Brazil having held the tournament only once previously, it will be interesting to see how the nation prepares for the biggest sporting event on the planet.
The one time that Brazil hosted the World Cup was in 1950. The host nation managed to reach the finals but lost out to Uruguay. FIFA's rotation system in choosing host countries had seen the event come to South America and the only country bidding for the chance was Brazil. With its confirmation taking place, the country is set into motion to get everything ready for the big event. Already the Brazilian government has stated that it will spend a colossal amount of money to upgrade Rio's most famous stadium. $500 million will be spent to revamp and upgrade the famous Maracana stadium in Rio. As it is a historical building, the outside will remain the same but only the inside will see significant changes taking place. Changes will not only be limited to this particular stadium, but will take place to a large number of stadiums around the country and to the roads and the infrastructure as well.
It will be very interesting to see what happens when the World Cup goes to Brazil. Some people are talking about the fact that the tournament will be going 'home'. Even though the game of football was invented in England many, many years ago, it was the Brazilians that perfected it and barring this year, have always had a very strong team. Football is like a religion to the Brazilians and in a country where people eat, sleep and breathe the game; the biggest footballing event being hosted there will be a spectacle to behold. The fact that the country is home to Samba dancing and the famed Carnivale, it is going to be a very colourful and entertaining World Cup. It could be that just going to the country during the month of the tournament will be a great experience even if a person does not even watch a single game. There will be football in the air and people's hearts will be bursting with pride and excitement.
Last night the official logo for the 2014 World Cup was unveiled. It is a great design of three interlocking hands in the shape of the World Cup trophy. It is meant to show the bringing together nature of the game of football and the fact that Brazil is welcoming visitors with open arms. The entire logo is done so that of the three interlocking arms and hands, one is yellow and two are green. This is to signify the national team's colours and to represent the country of Brazil. Let's hope that the tournament will be as colourful and beautiful as the logo depicting it.
It has not all been smooth sailing for the Brazilians though. FIFA publicly criticised the organisers of missing key deadlines two months ago. The president of the Brazilian Football Federation has now stated that everything is back on track and plans are running smoothly once again. There seemed to be some serious problems within the country that led to the missed deadlines which led a FIFA official to state that the lack of progress by the Brazilian football federation was simply amazing. He was being sarcastic and because of all the complaints and criticism, everything is back on track and all of the country's plans are working to new improved deadlines. Hopefully it will stay that way and everything goes smoothly for the 2014 tournament.
Now with the 2010 World Cup almost over, we are all anxiously waiting for 2014. The party will start long before the actual football starts and because it is being held in Brazil, the whole event will get a magical feel to it. The football federation should get everything in order and get all their preparations back on track and we should all be in for a great tournament. Here's to a samba dancing, partying, colourful and loud World Cup in 2014.
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