Brazil 2014: World Cup storylines to follow
By Martin Rogers, Yahoo! Sports Sunday, Jul 11, 2010
Follow Martin Rogers on Twitter at @mrogersyahoo
(Ricardo Moraes/AP)
JOHANNESBURG – As South Africa receives pats on the back from around the globe after hosting, against the odds, a mightily successful and historic World Cup, the soccer world’s gaze instinctively turns to the next time around.
And it doesn’t make for pretty viewing.
Brazil has been selected as the host nation for the 2014 World Cup and possesses such deep-rooted passion for soccer that it is a genuine part of the national identity. But the South American country has drastic problems that are threatening to turn preparations for the tournament into a farce.
And FIFA, the sport’s governing body, is deeply concerned.
What should be an equally spectacular (albeit vastly different) experience compared to this year’s edition is in real danger of failing to get out of the starting blocks, thanks to a calamitous series of delays and incessant, unnecessary politicking.
Sports history is littered with big events that fell way behind schedule but pulled it out in the end. Yet without full financial guarantees from the Brazilian government, crumbling infrastructure and stadiums in need of drastic overhauls, four years will come around pretty quickly.
Whether Brazil will be prepared to host the planet is the biggest issue overshadowing the 2014 World Cup. We take a deeper look at that situation and what else to look for – and look forward to – when the soccer world reconvenes for the game’s greatest showcase.
1. Will Brazil be ready?
If you thought South Africa had a nervous race against time to host the tournament, Brazil promises even more of a white-knuckle ride. The Brazilians are well behind schedule and are already coming under heavy pressure from FIFA officials to get their stadiums and infrastructure in shape.
If they get it right, it will be spectacular. The Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro is an enormous venue steeped in soccer history. But there is a lot to be done – and not just to the stadiums. With games dotted all around the vast South American country, the roads, airports and hotels need upgrades.
2. How will Brazil play?
No country demands World Cup success as much as Brazil, and its failure to fire in the latter stages of the 2010 tournament was treated like a national disaster. Head coach Dunga was immediately sent packing, with harsh criticism for his team’s defensive style ringing in his ears.
A more typically flowing Brazilian approach is likely to return in 2014, when expectations will be through the roof. The last time Brazil hosted the event, in 1950, it lost – controversially – to Uruguay in the final. A nation has waited 64 years to put things right.
3. Will South Americans be favored?
The myth that European nations couldn’t win a World Cup outside of Europe was blown out of the water by the dynamic performances of Spain, the Netherlands and Germany. After the South American countries dominated in the early stages, their three main title hopes bowed out in the quarterfinals, leaving only underdog Uruguay to carry the torch.
After two straight events marked by European success (seven of the past eight semifinalists), will things be different in Brazil? A South American nation has won every World Cup staged on that continent, and the conditions and environment will give a significant edge to teams such as Brazil and Argentina.
4. What can Team USA do?
The plucky run of Bob Bradley’s side and the drama of Landon Donovan’s late winner against Algeria whetted an American audience’s appetite for greater World Cup success. Thousands are already expected to journey to Brazil in four years.
But what kind of team will they see? Donovan and Clint Dempsey will be heading toward the end of their careers, while emerging stars such as Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore could be in their prime. Expect to see some improvement, but – like this year – the primary goal will be getting out of the group stage.
5. Will the game have changed?
The glaring errors that marred this World Cup didn’t just break the hearts of a handful of nations. They may have changed the way soccer is played at the highest level as well.
New rules could be in place for 2014, potentially involving extra referees, video technology and other measures to ensure that there is no repeat of the embarrassing scenes which hurt the United States, England, Mexico and others.