Moving to Brazil in the next few years will put you right in the middle of one of the most exciting events in the world – the FIFA World Cup. In 2014, Brazil has been honored as the country to host the prestigious event, which will be watched by billions worldwide. The event will take place from June 12 through July 13. The country has not hosted the event since 1950. Brazil is only one of five countries that have hosted the event two times. South America has not hosted the event since 1978.

FIFA History

The first World Cup took place in Uruguay in 1930. The football team from Uruguay was the reigning Olympic champions. Teams did not need to qualify to participate, but instead were sent invitations. This was the only time in FIFA history when teams did not need to qualify. All major football nations received an invitation. Thirteen teams participated. Uruguay ultimately won the first World Cup event and trophy.

Finalists

The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be the 20^th time this event takes place.  In Europe, there are 13 berths available and 53 teams competing for these places in the World Cup. There are between four and five berths available in South America. Brazil has already qualified for the finals because it is the host country. The fifth berth will either be filled by Asia or South America. Asia has between four and five berths available for 43 teams. Africa has 53 teams competing for five berths. North, Central American and the Caribbean countries will compete for three or four berths, with the fourth berth being determined by Oceania’s performance.

Needless to say, soccer, or football, is a big part of Brazil’s culture. In fact, Brazil has won the world cup in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.

FIFA World Cup Event

Twenty-five agencies submitted designs, but one was chosen and unveiled in Africa. The logo for the 2014 FIFA World Cup was named Inspiration and was designed a Brazilian Agency named Africa.

The FIFA World Cup events will take place in 12 cities: Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Cuiaba, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Manaus, Natal, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Sao Paulo.

Belo Horizonte has a stadium with a planned capacity of 69,950, which is being upgraded. Brasilia has a stadium with a planned capacity of 71,500, which is being rebuilt. Cuiaba is building a stadium with a planned capacity of 42,500. Curitiba is upgrading a stadium with a planned capacity of 41,375. New stadiums are being built in Manaus, with a planned capacity of 50,000, and in Natal with a planned capacity of 45,000. Porto Alegre is upgrading its stadium, which has a planned capacity of 62,000. New stadiums are also being built in Recife, with a planned capacity of 46,160, Salvador, with a planned capacity of 55,000, and Sao Paulo with a planned capacity of 48,000. Rio de Janeiro is updating its stadium with a planned capacity of 82,000.

To prepare for the big event, Brazil is not holding back. They are constructing and remodeling stadiums at a cost that has been estimated at about three-quarters for a billion dollars. Airports will also have to be updated. The majority of the upgrades are for Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

If you are moving to Brazil before the big event, contact IntlMOVE Brazil to ship your household goods from the U.S. to Brazil.