Brazil Hosts 2014 World Cup

Brazil has been named by FIFA as the host nation for the 2014 World Cup.

The South American country was the only one bidding to host the tournament which was due to be staged on the continent under FIFA's rotation system.

The other South American nations agreed to back Brazil, who has won the World Cup a record five times, as their only candidate after Colombia withdrew.

Brazil has hosted the tournament once before, in 1950, when they were beaten 2-1 in the final by rivals Uruguay.
Eighteen cities are expected to bid to host games, with eight to 10 being chosen.

Brazil is setting aside around £500m for updating their stadiums, including the Maracanã which hosted the 1950 World Cup final.

A record 173,830 fans were at the game, although the actual attendance was estimated to be around 210,000 as thousands supporters gained access to the stadium without tickets.

Women's world champions, Germany will host the 2011 World Women Cup after beating off competition from Canada. BBC