Jubilant Celebrations follow Fifa’s official announcement THE Brazilian community in Ireland were in a jubilant mood last week after Fifa, soccer’s world governing body, confirmed that Brazil would host the 2014 World Cup finals.
According to a spokesperson for the Brazilian Embassy in Dublin, the announcement was greeted by an immense feeling of pride and joy from Brazilians living throughout Ireland.
Brazil, who have won the World Cup (right) a record five times, were the only country to bid for the 2014 tournament, and will be the first South American nation to host soccer’s showpiece since Argen-tina in 1978.
The news was greeted with joyous scenes in Brazil, with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva declaring: “Soccer is more that a sport for us, it’s a national passion.”
A giant banner, unfurled at the foot of the Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking Rio de Janeiro, summed up the mood of the nation. “The 2014 World Cup is ours,” it declared.
Fifa has identified 18 suitable grounds with more than a 40,000 capacity which could host games for the competition. But this list will be whittled down to 10.
The English lay claim to inventing soccer, but Brazil is considered the game’s spiritual home, and Fifa president Sepp Blatter was impressed.
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.”
A Fifa inspection report added: “Brazil has a rich history of hosting sporting and other international events.”
There are just under 8,000 Brazilians living in Ireland, and the spokesperson for the Brazilian Embassy in Dublin said that they were thrilled for their homeland.
She said: “It is fantastic news and we are very proud to be confirmed as hosts for the World Cup in 2014. Last summer’s Pan American Games in Brazil were an enormous success and we proved that we can host top international sporting events.
“We do not know how many Brazilians will be living in Ireland in 2014 but those that are will probably wish they were back at home for the World Cup. There is a great love of soccer in Brazil and the tournament will be another great success for us.”
It is estimated that Brazil will need to invest up to 1bn euro to successfully host the blue ribband event of international soccer. The famous Maracana Stadium in Rio will undergo a massive facelift for the competition.
Brazil previously held the World Cup in 1950, but the country was plunged into mourning when Uruguay shocked the hosts 2–1 in the final at the Maracana in front of 205,000 fans – still a record for attendance at a soccer match.
