A lot has changed since 1950, when Brazil first hosted soccer’s (or football,
for that matter) biggest event. Construction techniques and machinery
have evolved since and venues show bedazzling features to provide
comfort for attendants while they witness live this exciting event. You
are probably familiar with favorite teams to take the trophy home as
well as the candidates for individual feats such as becoming the
tournament’s top scorer. But are you already familiar with the STADIUMS
hosting the 20th edition of the soccer World cup?Maracana, Rio de Janeiro
The tournament’s oldest stadium and the only
one repeating from 1950 edition held also in Brazil. This used to be the
largest stadium in the world for a long time, when more than 110,000
would fill the venue, but back then this was standing-room only. Today,
Maracana can comfortably seat 78,838 spectators.
For the 2014 World Cup, Maracana is hosting
seven matches: Argentina vs. Bosnia (Group F), spain vs. Chile (Group
B), Belgium vs. Russia (Group H) and Ecuador vs. France (Group E).
During the next round, the 1st place from Group C and 2nd from Group D
will face each other in this venue, and it will also host a
quarter-final match as well as the final.
Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha, Brasilia
One of the few stadiums built previously well before Brazil was awarded to host the 20th edition of the football World Cup, named after one of Brazil’s greatest players. Estadio Nacional is hosting Switzerland vs. Ecuador (Group E), Colombia vs. Ivory Coast (Group C), Cameroon vs. Brazil (Group A) and Portugal vs. Ghana (Group G) during the first round.
The country’s capital will also host a second round match between the 1st place from Group E vs. 2nd place from Group F, a quarter-final match as well as the next to last match of the tournament to define the 2nd runner up to the championship.
Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo
The 60,000-plus stadium is one of the most
appealing recently-built venues for the tournament. Arena Corinthians is
located in Sao Paulo, the country’s largest city. Group-stage matches
at this stadium include Brasil vs. Croatia (Group A), Uruguay vs.
England (Group D), Netherlands vs. Chile (Group B), South Korea vs.
Belgium (Group H), as well as a second round matches between Group F’s
1st place team against the 2nd place from Group E, ending its
involvement with the tournament with a semi-final match on July 9th.
Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza
Castelao (Portuguese for “castle”) honors its own and the city’s name (‘fortaleza’ meaning “fortress” in English). Though remodeled for this World Cup’s edition, it was first opened during 1973.
Matches held at Castelao include Group D’s Uruguay vs. Costa Rica, Brazil vs. Mexico regarding Group A, Germany vs. Ghana (Group G), Greece vs. Ivory Coast (Group C); and also the second round match between Group B’s 1st place vs. 2nd place from Group A, and finally a quarter-final match.
Mineirao, Belo Horizonte
Mineirao seats over 62,000; it’s located in Minas Gerais’ state capital. The venue opened in 1965 and during the 20th edition of football’s World Cup its attendants are to witness matches between Colombia and Greece (from Group C), Belgium vs. Algeria (Group H), Argentina vs. Iran (Group F) and Costa Rica against England, during the first round. Group A leader and Group B second place will hold a match once in knock-out rounds, with a semi-final becoming Mineirao’s last match held during the tournament.
Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre
Slightly over 50,000 football enthusiasts fit comfortably in Beira-Rio, home of Sport Club Internacional since 1969.
Attendants to matches held at Porto Alegre
may witness Group E action between France and Honduras, a Group B match
starring Australia vs. Netherlands, South Korea and Algeria from Group
H, and its final first round match will be the one between Nigeria and
Argentina. For the knock-out rounds, fans at Biera-Rio are to witness
who advances and who heads home after 1st place from Group G meets Group
H’s 2ndplace.
Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador de Bahia
A venue built precisely for this World Cup
edition, Fonte Nova seats 50,000 attendants. The arena boasts a
beautiful roof to provide a cool shade in most of its seating sections;
the roof consists of large translucent panels.
Bahians are to attend first round action with
a rematch of the final held four years ago at South Africa between
reigning champion Spain and the Netherlands -who find themselves
belonging to Group B-; days after, a possibly very exciting match
between Germany and Portugal will take place for these squads belonging
to Group G; Switzerland and France play there as well for a Group E
match, Group F’s Bosnia and Iran will put an end to first round action
at Fonte Nova. Teams advancing as 1stplace for Group H and 2nd place
from Group G will face each other in second round action; and finally a
quarter-final will also take place at Salvador de Bahia’s amazing new
sports venue.
Itaipava Arena Pernambuco, Recife
Recife’s attractions are much more than just
its beautiful beaches. Arena Pernambuco just opened last year. This
colorful place has two seating levels divided by press boxes parallel to
the sidelines.
Ivory Coast and Japan will begin live
action for Pernambucanos in a Group C match, Group D rivals Italy and
Costa Rica will also meet at Itaipava Arena, Croatia vs. Mexico from
Group A is the third match to be held there, and the last first-round
match at Recife is between the United States squad against the Germans.
The knock-out match between Group D’s first place and 2nd place from
Group C will be the last of the competition at such a beautiful venue.
Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba
Pantanal stadium was one of the first new
venues whose construction started as soon as Brazil was appointed host
for the 2014 World Cup. It’s shape is similar to that of older European
stadiums whose grandstands consist on different, separated buildings. It
was completed just last April and it will only host first-round action.
Matches at the city of Cuiaba include Chile
vs. Australia (Group B), Group H action between Russia and South Korea,
the Nigeria vs. Bosnia game from Group F, and Japan vs. Colombia (Group
C)
Arena de Amazonia, Manaus
This is not the postcard-picture-perfect
ideas of Brazil which are usually displayed for us in the media with
sandy beaches. This is the northern part of the country, capital of the
Amazonas state, which bears its own beauty. Arena da Amazonia was built
for the World Cup and is able to host up to 42,300 seated attendants
Manaus will be hosting Group D action opening
with the England vs. Italy clash of two former World Cup champions,
Cameroon and Croatia will be playing their second match in the
tournament for each of these Group A teams, the U.S.A. and Portugal will
have the chance to show their different approaches to the game for the
schedule belonging to Group G. Finally, Honduras and Switzerland will
meet to define Group E positions as Amazonas hosts its final World Cup
match
Arena das Dunas, Natal
Dunas is a new venue for the folks where
Brazil’s north coast begins. The beautiful stadium was just completed
with capacity for 45,000. The top of the arena seems like a seashell
whose top part was removed (if it wasn’t, we would be talking about a
domed stadium, then).
The city of Natal is about to witness
Mexico’s first match of the tournament against Cameroon in the difficult
Group A, which is the one also including the very dangerous home squad,
Brazil. Other matches played at Dunas stadium are Ghana vs. United
States (Group G), Japan vs. Greece in Group C play, and the final match
in Natal will face two former world champions which -at times in
history- have shown somewhat similar styles: Italy against Uruguay.
Going back in time, remember Uruguay was the first ever football
champion when they hosted the first edition of the tournament back in
1930 and got to lift the cup in 1950 after challenging the odds by
defeating the home team during the first time Brazil hosted the
tournament. Italy has doubled the accomplishment ending up as champions
in the 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006 editions.
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