Fingers ready, new survey predicts a blockbuster Twitter World Cup
By Tom Parsons
April 8 – According to a new study from GlobalWebIndex, 90% of UK Twitter users will tune in to watch the World Cup in Brazil this summer.
World Cup
Confederations Cup ‘added $4 billion to Brazil GDP’, says study
By David Owen
April 8 – The Brazilian government has fired a numerical salvo in the direction of critics who continue to argue that hosting sporting mega-events such as the 2014 FIFA World Cup is not in the country’s best interests.
Blatter confirms Uruguayan team will be in Brazil despite federation suspension
By Andrew Warshaw
April 4 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter has stepped into the Uruguayan crisis by declaring the country will not be kicked out of the World Cup – even though the federation has now been suspended by Conmebol, the confederation that runs South American football.
Cola wars: Coke focuses on global power of football, while Pepsi banks on celebrity
By Mark Baber
April 3 – Official World Cup sponsor Coca-Cola has launched its 2014 World Cup marketing programme, titled ‘The World’s Cup’, which celebrates football as a force for good in the world.
Brazil 2014 refs told to get tough on rough play
April 3 – Referees at this summer’s World Cup look like getting tough on dangerous tackles more than other contentious issues like diving.
Pitches, TV feeds and telecoms are vital focus of Brazil 2014 final preparations
By Andrew Warshaw
April 3 – After months of trouble-shooting and no end of efforts to stave off negative headlines, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke seems resigned to the fact that Brazil will not be completely ready to host the World Cup despite having had seven years to prepare.
Sao Paulo stadium death casts dark shadow over 2014 rush for readiness
April 1 – Brazil’s World Cup preparations have suffered yet another setback with the death of a third worker at the Sao Paulo stadium that is being rushed to readiness to host the opening match on June 12.
Brazil’s rush to readiness comes with risks, says Valcke
March 28 – FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke admits “time is flying” towards completing the final three stadiums for the World Cup and that the delays faced by Brazil should serve as a lesson to future hosts.
Euro politicos complete Qatar visit and report that change is underway
By Andrew Warshaw
March 25 – European Parliament officials believe Qatar is already making up ground to get to grips to with the workers’ rights issue that has plagued 2022 World Cup organisers.
Inside Insight: You gotta love the old racial profiling game
March 25 – Not a fan of Qatar and aware of numerous potential and obvious downsides (debilitating summer heat above all), we have always kept an open mind about a World Cup in the Middle East, once the hosting rights were allotted.
Porto Alegre warns it must have funding tax breaks to stay as a 2014 host
March 25 – The mayor of Porto Alegre has warned the city may be forced to drop out of the World Cup if key legislation is not approved this week.
Belo Horizonte set for matches and fans, on plan and stadium-ready
By Andrew Warshaw
March 21 – Belo Horizonte officials say their stadium will be 100% ready for the World Cup this summer and have played down a recent leak in the roof just hours before a regional game.
Adidas add Bosnia but trail Nike by one in World Cup kit supply league
March 21 – Adidas have agreed to supply the kit for debutants Bosnia and Herzegovina at this year’s World Cup finals, meaning it will sponsor nine of the 32 teams taking part.
US’s Garber steps into Qatar debate saying they could host 2022
By Andrew Warshaw
March 21 – The debate over staging the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has been stoked again by hard-hitting remarks in the United States from MLS Commissioner Don Garber who championed the ability of his own country to take the job on.
Amnesty urges FIFA to keep Qatar focus, but is it now missing the point?
March 20 – FIFA is being urged by Amnesty International not to downplay the mistreatment of construction workers’ on Qatar’s 2022 World Cup sites when football’s world governing body hears an update on the issue at its executive committee meeting today and tomorrow.