After an extensive inspection from FIFA officials the venues for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil have been decided. The cities that were chosen to host matches of The Great Tournament were jubilant at the opportunity. Because of the massive size of Brazil, FIFA agreed to have 12 host cities instead of the usual 10. Here are the cities, the state they are located in and the match stadiums.

Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais
Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto aka Mineirão (2014 Project)

Brasilia, Brazilian Federal District
Estádio Mané Garrincha (Proposed New Stadium)

Cuiaba, Mato Grosso
Estádio Governador José Fragelli aka Verdão (Proposed New Stadium)


Curitiba, Paraná,
Estádio Joaquim Américo Guimarães aka Kyocera Arena


Fortaleza, Ceará
Estádio Plácido Aderaldo Castelo aka Castelão


Manaus, Amazonas
Estádio Vivaldo Lima aka Vivaldão (Proposed New Stadium)


Natal, Rio Grande do Norte
Arena das Dunas (Proposed New Stadium)


Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul
Estádio José Pinheiro Borba aka Beira-Rio


Recife, Pernambuco
Arena Recife-Olinda (Proposed New Stadium)

Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho aka Maracanã


Salvador, Bahia
Estádio Octávio Mangabeira aka Fonte Nova


São Paulo, São Paulo
Estádio Cícero Pompeu de Toledo aka Morumbi

Here’s a map of the host cities and their locations in Brazil.

To take a line from one of the greatest rappers ever, Rakim. “Its been a long time, since I left you without a Top 5 to step to.” Okay Rakim didn’t say Top 5 but it has been awhile since the last edition so I had to bring back. You know with all the talk of stadiums for the World Cup and meeting standards, it got me to thinking of the Top 5 Stadiums I would like to watch a World Cup match or for that matter any football match. Factors going into the Top 5 include size, location, history and crowd enthusiasm, so here they are:

#5 = St. James’ Park – Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Home to Newcastle United since 1892. From what I’ve been told its one of the most intense places to watch a football match. Newcastle supporters are some of the most passionate in the world. St. James’ Park is the 3rd largest of all Premiership club stadiums and Newcastle supporters fill it up every game. Its atmosphere is like “La Bombonera of Europe.” Plus, that “NEWCASTLE UNITED” along the facade of the East Stand is cool. I know other stadiums have something similar with their club names but at St. James’ Park the sight of that “NEWCASTLE UNITED” has a power to it that is alluring.

#4 = Estadio Azteca – Mexico D.F., Mexico

Opened in 1966 it is the home of Mexican super club, Club América and El Tri, the Mexican National Team. In terms of national team matches, its the most intimidating place for opposition to come into and play. 100,000+ wild, passionate, boisterous, and mostly drunk Mexicans pack the Azteca singing, cheering, and jeering the opposition. Its an amazing scene. For World Cup history, Azteca is the only stadium to hold 2 World Cup Final matches. Its the stadium that witnessed Maradona’s “Hand Of God” goal & his defense slicing “Goal Of The Century” in 1986 and the 1970 WC Semi between Italy & West Germany known as the “Game Of The Century.” Its size, history, and ambience make it a football cathedral.

#3 = Estádio do Maracanã – Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

The stadium less known as Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho and more popularly known as Maracanã is the temple of Brazilian football. It was constructed for the 1950 World Cup and could hold 200,000+ people. Even though the capacity has been reduced to 95,000 it is still the largest stadium in South America. Maracanã was the site of Pelé’s 1,000th goal, Zico’s last goal for Flamengo, the famous Maracanazo of the 1950 World Cup and the 1st ever FIFA Club World Cup final match. As a lifelong Brazil fan, its a must visit.

#2 = Camp Nou – Barcelona, Spain

Opened in 1957, Camp Nou is a 5-star stadium which stands as the home of FC Barcelona and a source of Catalan pride. It is the largest stadium in Europe with a capacity of around 98,000. Barça has a massive home field advantage whenever they step on the field regardless of who they are playing. A stadium befitting a team that’s Més que un club. I’ve seen the trophy room, the museum with the statues, and stood on the bench as part of the tour and now GAME TIME!

#1 = La Bombonera – Buenos Aires, Argentina

The 2nd stadium on the list that I’ve actually been inside and taken a tour of. I was even fortunate enough to go when legendary coach Carlos Bianchi was in charge and watch a practice. Opened in 1940, its official name is Estadio Alberto J. Armando but its unique design has given it the more common title of “La Bombonera” which means “The Chocolate Box.” Ask Boca’s opponents if its sweet to play there and they’ll say its more like a vinegar bottle. The unique design and the most passionate, boisterous fans in football led by La Doce make it a nightmare for opposition. I got to go to the Superclásico before I die.

There they are, my Top 5 stadiums I would like to watch a football match. I just need to quit my job, nail a rich sugar MILF really good and I’ll be able to get to all those stadiums during a match.

Some of the stadiums that didn’t make the cut but were noteworthy: Morumbi in Sao Paulo, Estadio Saprissa in Costa Rica, Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, Old Trafford in Manchester, BMO Field in Toronto, Allianz Arena in Munich, the New Wembley Stadium in London, and The Bird’s Nest aka Beijing Olympic Stadium.

Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva recently announced that the government will not give money for stadiums to be built for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Speaking in São Paulo, the head of Brazil’s government made it clear that government funds will be used to improve infrastructure in the host cities and not for construction of stadiums.

Lula, seen here holding the World Cup Trophy, also said that it is the responsibility of the clubs, the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF-Confederação Brasileira de Futebol), and the private sector to improve the stadiums. He also guaranteed that funds will be appropriated to improve infrastructure for the sites for The Great Tournament once they are announced.

Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento or “Growth Acceleration Program” is the government program in Brazil to improve infrastructure and public services and will be the source of funds integrating public and private resources to implement policies to improve things in the host cities and throughout Brazil.

Brazil has received approval from FIFA to have 12 cities as host sites for the tournament even though FIFA prefers to 8 to 10. Brazil is the world’s 5th largest nation in terms of land area which poses infrastructure and transportation issues unique to the country. The readiness of stadiums for the World Cup has come into question, especially after a 2007 FIFA Inspection Report indicated that none of the proposed stadiums were up to FIFA standards for the event.

Since then, organizing officials have said that the stadiums will be ready in time for The Great Tournament. The Maracanã will become the 2nd stadium to host a World Cup Final twice along with Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Brazil, the 5-time World Champions will become the 5th nation to host the World Cup for the 2nd time, joining Mexico (’70 & ’86), Italy (’34 & ’90), France (’38 & ’98), and Germany (’74 & ’06).

The 1st test for South Africa and its preparations for the 2010 World Cup will be the 2009 Confederations Cup. The main focus will be the readiness of the stadiums and for the short tournament in June, 4 stadiums have been chosen to host Confederations Cup matches.

Loftus Versfeld Stadium – Tshwane/Pretoria

The stadium was named in 1932 after Robert Owen Loftus Versfeld who was the founder of organized sports in Pretoria. The site for the stadium was 1st used in 1906 and has been used for numerous sports events including the 1995 Rugby World Cup and 1996 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. It is home stadium for the Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club of the South African Premier League. After upgrades it will have a capacity of around 52,000.

Ellis Park – Johannesburg

Opened in 1928, Ellis Park is located in South Africa’s largest city and was named after J.D. Ellis, a Johannesburg city counselor who got the land for the stadium to be built. It was originally built for rugby union matches and witnessed the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup in which the South Africa’s Springboks defeated New Zealand’s All Blacks 15-12. The stadium is also known as Coca-Cola Park and became the 1st black owned stadium in South Africa and is the home to the Orlando Pirates Football Club of the South African Premier League. After upgrades, the stadium capacity will reach 65,000.

Free State Stadium – Mangaung/Bloemfontein

Free State Stadium also known as Vodacom Park is the southernmost of the stadiums hosting the Confederations Cup. It is located in Maugaung aka Bloemfontein, the capital of the Free State province. The stadium hosted Africa Cup of Nations matches in 1996 and Rugby World Cup matches in 1995. It is the home stadium of the South African Premier League team, Bloemfontein Celtic. The capacity of the stadium after renovations will be around 48,000.

Royal Bafokeng Stadium – Rustenburg

The Royal Bafokeng Stadium was originally built as a rugby stadium and is named after the people native to the area. The Bafokeng people have grown rich via platinum mining in the area. In 1999, the Bafokeng won a legal settlement that gave them a 22 percent royalty on all platinum taken from their cultural land and because of this money, the stadium has been kept in excellent condition as only minor renovations will be needed. The stadium is only a 25 minute drive from the controversial Sun City resort and after the renovations & upgrades the stadium will have a capacity of about 42,000.

In June, the champions of FIFA’s confederations along with the host nation, South Africa and world champion, Italy will entertain us with some great football and confirm to the world that football is the beautiful game. More importantly, the 2009 Confederations Cup will give us a hint into South Africa’s preparations for The Great Tournament.