Can Brazil nab the World Cup games?

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And speaking of fútbol (see two postings below), any country that can produce soccer talent of the caliber of Pele, Garrincha and Ronaldinho hardly needs a home-field advantage. But Brazil, the only five-time World Cup winner, is a current favorite to host soccer’s premier showcase in 2014 for only the second time in its history.

The Portuguese-speaking futbol powerhouse was the only country from its 10-nation South American group to submit a formal bid for the tournament. Colombia had been pondering a bid, but backed out at the last minute. South America hasn’t hosted the World Cup since Argentina won the tournament in Buenos Aires in 1978.

It remains to be seen whether Brazil can upgrade enough of its stadiums in time to convince FIFA, the soccer world’s governing body, that it’s capable of rolling out the welcome mat. Some Brazilians still are haunted by memories of their country’s stunning loss to Uruguay in the 1950 final, at Rio de Janeiro’s then brand-spanking-new Maracanã stadium.

Posted by Reed Johnson in Mexico City