World Cup Soccer Clips

The World Cup is once again set to visit a growing economy after it will be held in Brazil for the 2014 edition. The 2006 edition was viewed as a highly successful one, but that is not expected of the upcoming World Cup. This is due to the history of violence in Brazil – especially in the poorer parts of the country. The nation has also been troubled by an uprising against the government after the decision to spend millions and millions of money – given by the taxpayers – on improving the stadiums and not developing the infrastructure.

Brazil is vastly underequipped in terms of transportation and infrastructure and it was seen as the major areas that would get a much-needed overhaul as a result of this World Cup. Yet, the public have been astonished to see the government spending huge amounts of money in creating stadiums, which are unlikely to fill once the tournament is over. The Confederations Cup, which acts as a precursor to the World Cup, was marred by troubles involving the supporters. There was even a danger of the competition being called off as a result of the protests.

England manager Roy Hodgson says that England fans travelling to see the team take part in this tournament should take extra precautions to ensure their safety.

“As far as we [the team] are concerned we are going to have a lot of protection. It’s more for the fans that this is a larger concern. But I have great faith in the government, the local organising committee and FIFA. I have to say that I don’t want to suggest there is no reason for concern. Of course, there is. From my point of view I just have to be trusting in our security, the security of the Brazilian government and all the things that FIFA will do to make it secure for the fans and the players,” said Hodgson.

As the 32 qualified teams are preparing themselves for the draw that will be held on December 6 in a five-star Atlantic holiday resort in Brazil not everybody is expecting the tournament to go as planned with the 47 years old Brazilian Socialist Party politician and World Cup winner of 1994 Romari de Souza Faria concerned about the process in which it will be held.

‘FIFA are only here in Brazil for the money and to line their pockets,’ he told The Mail on Sunday. ‘Do FIFA care if Brazil has proper transport in the cities or a structural legacy? No. FIFA are just worried whether the stadiums will be ready on time.

‘Who rules in Brazil today? FIFA. They come, put on a circus, pay no tax and take the profit. The greatest benefit from the World Cup will not be left to Brazilian people, but to FIFA, to media groups, to sponsors and to contractors’.

‘I am not surprised that there were huge protests in the streets in the summer and I expect the same again. Our hospitals and schools are underfunded and there are huge social divisions, yet we are wasting billions of pounds of public money on mega-events, starting with the World Cup.’ Romario said.

The opening of the upcoming World Cup is scheduled to be in Sao Paulo on June 12 but an unfortunate event saw 2 construction workers dying after a crane toppled the stadium in the place that is supposed to be the inaugurational event which sets the tone for the remainder of the tournament.

Romario’s main worry is that Brazil will be spending money on football instead of where it should be spent on, its people. After all the preparations are completed the amount of money spent is expected to reach £7.6billion and with a country that has already experienced problems hosting events of this caliber, it really does come into mind if they will be ready to be at the eyes of the world by June 12^th.