HOST COUNTRY FIFA WORLD CUP 2014

1. HOST COUNTRY FIFA WORLD CUP 2014

2. History • Portuguese Pedro Alvares Cabral is the discoverer of Brazil. His fleet, in search of the Indias, sailed into the South of Bahia on 22 April 1500. • Since 1530, the Portuguese Crown implemented a colonizing policy that lasted centuries and ended when Dom Pedro I declared the country's independence on 7 September 1822.

3. History • After 1822, Brazil was governed by an imperial dynasty until a military revolt led by Marshal Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca forced Emperor Dom Pedro II to abdicate in November 1889. • The country became a republic and, despite a long period of instability and even military dictatorship between 1964 and 1985, it now enjoys the fruits of democracy. • Current President DilmaRousseff  has held the post since her inauguration on 1 January 2011.

4. Geography • The largest country in South America, Brazil stretches over almost half of the continent. • With the Atlantic Ocean on its eastern coastline, Brazil shares frontiers with almost all the countries in South America, only Chile and Ecuador do not border Brazil.

5. Geography

6. Geography • With a surface area of 8,547,404 km², Brazil is the fifth largest country on the planet behind Russia, China, Canada and the United States. • Brazil has over 190 million inhabitants, also making it the 5th largest country in terms of population. Almost 75 per cent of them are Catholics, whilst another 26 million are Protestants. • The country is divided into five regions (Centre-West, North, Northeast, South and Southeast), which are themselves divided into 26 states plus the Federal District that houses Brazilian capital Brasília. • The official language is Portuguese, however many Brazilians speak other languages according to their origins. 

7. Economy • Nearly a quarter of the world's coffee comes from Brazil. • Likewise, Brazil is one of the foremost producers of sugar cane, used not only to make sugar but also the alcohol that fuels 2.5 million specially-designed vehicles. • Production levels of cocoa, corn (3rd largest producer) and oranges (largest producer) are among the highest in the world as well, while soy, tobacco, potato, cotton, rice, wheat, manioc and bananas are also produced in large quantities. • In addition, sheep and cattle are reared in almost every state. Brazil is the 2nd largest beef producer in the world.

8. Brazil and Football • Founded in 1914 and affiliated to FIFA since 1923, the ConfederaçaoBrasileira de Futebol (CBF) boasts a staggering list of honours: • 5 FIFA World Cups™ • 8 Copa Americas • 4 FIFA Under-20 World Cups • 3 FIFA Under-17 World Cups • 2 FIFA Confederations Cups, • 4 FIFA Futsal World Cups • 3 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cups • Dozens of continental trophies. • Few federations have left anything like the same mark on international football.

9. Brazil and Football • Chief among them is O Rei, Pele, whose name is almost synonymous with Brazilian sport itself.

10. Brazil and Football • Brazilian football continues to produce exceptional new talents, and in recent years it is superstars Ronaldo, (Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima), Ronaldinho (Ronaldo de Assis Moreira) and Kaka (Ricardo Izecson Santos Leite) who are thrilling football-lovers the world over.

11. Brazil 1994

12. Brazil 2002

13. Brazil 2014

14. World Cup Facts • 208 Member Associations of FIFA • 32 teams competing for the title • 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ sees a total of 204 entries across six continents competing for 31 available spots • 200 teams played a total of 853 matches as 31 teams qualified for South Africa • 19 FIFA World Cup tournaments have been won by eight different national teams

15. World Cups Facts • The FIFA World Cup is the world's most widely viewed sporting event; • an estimated 715.1 million people watched the final match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup held in Germany • the 2010 event in South Africa was broadcast to 204 countries on 245 different channels. • Inside the stadiums, a total of 3,170,856 spectators attended the 64 matches an average of 49,670 per match and the third highest aggregate attendance behind USA 1994 and Germany 2006.

16. FIFA World Cup Fun Facts • The record number of World Cup career goals is 15 by Brazilian forward Ronaldo. • The record number of appearances in world cup matches is 25, held by German footballer LotharMatthaus. • The fastest goal in the world was scored by Turkey’s HasanSukur, 11 seconds into the game against South Korea in the 2002 World Cup. • Oliver Kahn is the only goalkeeper in the history of FIFA World to have won the Golden Ball trophy.

17. FIFA World Cup Fun Facts • India withdrew from the 1950 World Cup when they realized that according to FIFA regulations players had to wear football boots and would not be allowed to play barefoot. • The record for most defeats suffered by a nation in World Cups is held by Mexico with 20 losses. • Norman Whiteside was 17 when he played in the 1982 FIFA World Cup making him the youngest player to play in the world cup. • Out of the 18 world cups, South America and European countries have won 9 titles each. No other continent has produced a world champion.

18. FIFA World Cup Fun Facts • The only two players to have scored in four consecutive finals tournaments in 1958, 1962, 1966 & 1970 are Pele of Brazil and UweSeeler of West Germany. • 42-year-old Roger Milla in 1994 became the oldest goal scorer and the oldest player in World Cup history. • The very first hat-trick in a World Cup match was scored by Bert Patenaude of United States in a match against Paraguay in the 1930 World Cup.