World Cup
Paul the Octopus, who has a 100% record so far for the 2010 World Cup, has picked Spain to win
the Final. (You can see the video below. Don't look into his eyes)
The Golden Ball nominees have been announced: Diego Forlan (URU), Asamoah Gyan (GHA), Andres
Iniesta (ESP), Lionel Messi (ARG), Mesut Oezil (GER), Arjen Robben (NED), Bastian Schweinsteiger
(GER), Wesley Sneijder (NED), David Villa (ESP), Xavi (ESP).
Disney will be happy with the ratings numbers World Cup games have attracted on ABC and ESPN so
far, including 14.9 million on ABC for the United States versus Ghana on Saturday afternoon.
Univision, who have the Spanish-language rights, might be even happier, though, having invested
even more in the World Cup: they had an additional 4.
And so, with the 2010 World Cup passing into the history books, we peek ahead to 2014, as the
World Cup returns to South America for the first time since 1978, heading to Brazil. It has been a
long break for the continent: 4 of the first 11 World Cups staged were held there, but none of the
8 since.
Mano Menezes has a tough job ahead of him. He's taking over as the Brazilian national team
coach right after a World Cup of failure for the nation. Carlos Dunga failed to win the 2010 World
Cup, and in a country which expects to win the tournament every four years, that's not good enough.
Now Menezes will be under a huge amount of pressure having taken over the team, especially with the
next World Cup in 2014 taking place in Brazil.
Article written by my brother, Limonada.
A major Brazilian newspaper announced today that the Morumbi Stadium in São Paulo will not be
hosting the opening game of the 2014 World Cup, or any other game for that matter. After a long
battle between FIFA and São Paulo FC (who owns the stadium) regarding the renovation projects,
FIFA's general-secretary Jerome Valcke will be coming to Brazil to give the bad news.
2013 In ideal world: 2011 Copa America, 2012 Gold Cup, 2013 Confederations Cup, 2014 World Cup.
#USA - http://twitter.com/AOBosto... 37 minutes ago from 2013 - Twitter Search - Comment - Like
For some reason the thought popped into my head about qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup
this morning (thank you Steve Davis). Maybe because I'm moving on to the next phase for the US
here, which is four years away as far as I'm concerned. But I've heard some mentions lately about
how FIFA will handle things for the next go-around in terms of how many teams will qualify from
their respective regions.
Today the Brazilian Football Federation, CBF, announced Brazil's new coach: Fluminese's Muricy
Ramalho.
Ramalho, 54, has the responsibility of renewing Seleção to get it ready for World Cup
2014 (to be held in Brazil), and he is more than capable of doing so. Muricy has an amazing record
with São Paulo, winning the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Brazilian Championship and has won the best coach
award from 2005 to 2008, in Brazil.
Wow, its been messy for Brazil trying to find a replacement for Dunga as Brazil manager. With
Leonardo and Scolari previously frontrunning, over the last week, it seemed to come down to2 men
from within Brazil Mano Menezes and Muricy Ramalho, the coaches of respectively, Corinthians and
Fluminense.
CBF had announced Muricy Ramalho as Brazil's new coach. Today, however the official announcement
was made. The coach? Corinthian's Mano Menezes.
Lucky Selecao! As a Corinthians fan I am sad to see him go, but Brazil will benefit a
lot from his extremely tactical perspective and commitment.
Today Mano Menezes announced his first squad since being appointed as head coach of Brasil on
Saturday. Strikingly, only four players remain from the group that played in the World Cup, with
eleven new players called up for the friendly match again the US on August 10th. Lucas and Rafael
da Silva are both included.
The Ministry of Tourism and EMBRATUR (Brazilian Tourism Institute) launched the "Brazilian Cities
Selection" web site. The site is part of the "Brazil Is Calling You. Celebrate Life Here." campaign
which launched in Johannesburg, South Africa last week to promote international tourism in Brazil.
Union
The Union are competing with the rest of the league to win $50,000 in grant money in the Pepsi
Refresh contest. They want to build a full-sized natural grass soccer field for the Chester City
United soccer organization with the money. All they need to win is your vote. Vote here through
September 20.
2006 World Cup attendees like this one may be at risk after their information was
(allegedly) illegally sold on the black market...
According to The Guardian, an investigation is underway regarding the leak and sale of personal
information and details provided by thousands of football fans who purchased World Cup tickets
directly from FIFA and their official sponsor, Match Hospitality.
Brazilian teen sensation Neymar has made it clear that he intends to join EPL outfit Chelsea in
2011. This was one of the major transfer battles this summer and it appeared that Santos had
emerged the winners after they Neymar's wages to make him Brazil's highest paid player.
Of course the reason why Neymar attracts so much attention is due to the fact that he the
biggest talent to emerge from the South American giants after former team mate Robinho.
Well now we know Russia-will be the host for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and Qatar will be the
host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
For the first time in 44 years, FIFA is announcing two World Cup hosts on one day. FIFA has done
it only twice in the past, in 1946 and 1966, but both times, only a single country was bidding for
each tournament.
