Thursday 20 October 2011
© FIFA.com
The Match Schedule for the 20th edition of the FIFA World Cup™ was announced in Zurich on 20 October 2011. The 64 matches will be played in 12 cities across the country. Sao Paulo will witness the Opening Match on 12 June 2014 while Rio de Janeiro will be the venue for the Final of the world’s most prestigious football tournament. The FIFA Executive Committee had confirmed in its meeting earlier the proposal by the Brazilian Organizing Committee.
Hosts Brazil will be seeded as A1 and will therefore play the opening match in Sao Paulo and the remaining two group matches in Fortaleza and Brasilia.
To see the full match schedule please click on the link on the right.
Hosts Brazil will be seeded as A1 and will therefore play the opening match in Sao Paulo and the remaining two group matches in Fortaleza and Brasilia.
To see the full match schedule please click on the link on the right.
In addition, the kick-off times have been set as follows (all Brasilia local time):
Opening Match: 17.00
Group Stage matches: 13.00, 16.00, 19.00, 22.00
Round of 16/Quarter-finals: 13.00, 17.00
Semi-finals: 17.00
Match for Third Place: 17.00
Final: 16.00
Venues confirmed for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 Furthermore, the venues for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 have been announced. The champions of the six confederations as well as hosts Brazil and world champions Spain will participate in the Festival of Champions, which will be played between 15 and 30 June 2013. Currently, four host cities and four key matches have been confirmed, while the full match schedule to be confirmed in June 2012.
Opening Match: 17.00
Group Stage matches: 13.00, 16.00, 19.00, 22.00
Round of 16/Quarter-finals: 13.00, 17.00
Semi-finals: 17.00
Match for Third Place: 17.00
Final: 16.00
Venues confirmed for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 Furthermore, the venues for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 have been announced. The champions of the six confederations as well as hosts Brazil and world champions Spain will participate in the Festival of Champions, which will be played between 15 and 30 June 2013. Currently, four host cities and four key matches have been confirmed, while the full match schedule to be confirmed in June 2012.
Five teams have already qualified for the tournament in 2013: the Asian champions Japan, CONCACAF Gold Cup winners Mexico, South American champions Uruguay, as well as Spain and Brazil.
Opening Match: Brasilia
Semi-final matches: Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza
Final: Rio de Janeiro
Approved Host Cities Brasilia
Belo Horizonte
Fortaleza
Rio de Janeiro
Opening Match: Brasilia
Semi-final matches: Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza
Final: Rio de Janeiro
Approved Host Cities Brasilia
Belo Horizonte
Fortaleza
Rio de Janeiro
Conditionally approved Host CitiesRecife
Salvador
Salvador
Johnson & Johnson signs up for 2014 FIFA World Cup™
Thursday 7 July 2011
FIFA is delighted to announce that Johnson & Johnson has joined its sponsorship family for the next edition of football’s flagship event, which will be held in Brazil in 2014. This announcement signals the completion of FIFA’s global sponsorship sales for the event, three years before the tournament kicks off.
Johnson & Johnson becomes the Official Healthcare Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™, with exclusive rights to activate across their Consumer, Medical Devices & Diagnostics and Pharmaceutical sectors.
The agreement secures extensive global marketing rights for the company, including the right to associate their brands with the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ and the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 in promotion and advertising activities all over the world.
“Having a global, broadly based and trusted company like Johnson & Johnson as a FIFA World Cup™ Sponsor is a great asset for FIFA and we are honoured to welcome them on board,” said Thierry Weil, FIFA Marketing Director “To have completed our global sponsorship sales three years before the event is truly remarkable and a source of great pride for FIFA”.
There are now just three National Supporters slots remaining in FIFA’s three-tier sponsorship structure for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, reserved for domestic companies based in the Brazilian market.
FIFA World Cup tickets on sale in 2013
Thursday 20 October 2011
© AFP
When it comes to the FIFA World Cup™, the issue of ticketing is always of chief importance among fans. For that reason, FIFA invited a number of Brazilian journalists to a round-table discussion on 20 October in Zurich, where they had the chance to pose questions to FIFA Marketing Director Thierry Weil and Executive Chairman of MATCH AG Jaime Byrom. FIFA.com rounds up the highlights.
Thierry Weil, FIFA Marketing Director and member of FIFA Ticketing AGOn ticket salesTicketing is a very complex operation. There are going to be an estimated 3.3 million tickets available, although we are yet to confirm a precise number. That will only be possible once all the stadiums are ready and we know which seats cannot be made available for purchase, such as those with an obstructed view. We also need to organise the Fan Fests together with the host cities. There are going to be plenty of additional activities for fans in 2014 too.
On schedulingThe sale of FIFA World Cup tickets will begin after the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013, probably towards the end of August 2013. Tickets for the Confederations Cup will go on general sale after the draw at the end of 2012. We made this decision in order to prevent confusion between the two events among fans.
On procedureThe first sales phase will be a lottery in which fans can apply for tickets, which are then allocated via random draw. Everyone can take part and will have an equal chance of securing tickets. The majority of tickets will be sold through FIFA.com, the official FIFA World Cup website. Similarly to South Africa 2010, there will also be ticket outlets in Brazil for local fans who do not have access to the internet. Furthermore, we will be working with local organisations to ensure we are able to reach every fan.
On pricingWe know that Brazilians are passionate about football. We are in discussions with the government and the Local Organising Committee to ensure that every social group has an equal chance of seeing World Cup matches live. It's our aim to make it possible for anyone to attend matches, from wealthier fans to those with lower incomes. We believe a large proportion of tickets will go to Brazilians. Fans are of utmost importance to us. If the fans in the stadiums are happy, it'll be a fantastic World Cup.
Jaime Byrom, Executive Chairman of MATCH HospitalityThe early signs are that we're going to be overwhelmed by the demand for tickets, which is very promising. The World Cup in Brazil is still three years away, but I can already say that the number of requests so far surpasses any previous World Cup for which we've been responsible for hospitality and ticketing. We will be taking a fresh approach to hospitality for Brazil 2014 and will be introducing a brand new product. Aside from team and city-specific tickets, there will also be a package which covers all the main stadiums.
Valcke: An important milestone
Friday 16 September 2011
After the drama of July’s Preliminary Draw in Rio de Janeiro, today brings another important landmark on the road to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, with the beginning of the 1000-day countdown to the big kick-off. Sharing in the gathering excitement is FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, who spoke to FIFA.com about the significance of this milestone, the progress being made in Brazil’s preparations, and the work that still lies ahead.
FIFA.com: The milestone of '1000 days to go' to the kick-off of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ on 12 June 2014: what does this signify for you?
Jerome Valcke: One thousand days marks an important milestone for the organisation of the event. The LOC is organising together with the city of Belo Horizonte a commemorative event but it is great to see the enthusiasm in all host cities with many events taking place across the country. We are very pleased by the commitments expressed by the governors and mayors over the last few days in the build-up to this milestone event to assure FIFA that all will be done to make the FIFA World Cup a success.
With such an important milestone reached, how are the preparations coming along? To be honest there is still a lot of work to be done, which is normal with 1000 days ahead of the kick-off on 12 June 2014. But it is important that we keep in mind that it is even less to the opening match of the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013. It is essential that we must move quickly now and work closely with the authorities and host cities to make it all happen. And we are not talking about stadiums only, but also about all the infrastructure around such as airport capacities, public transport, level of accommodation to make this FIFA World Cup a memorable experience for teams and fans.
In 2014, the FIFA World Cup returns after 64 years to the country of the five-time champions. What does a FIFA World Cup in Brazil mean to you? You can simply feel that football is the beating heart of Brazil, a country of joy and celebration, blessed with natural beauty and a booming economy. Brazil is a fantastic country, so diverse and unique, very special. For all of us, this FIFA World Cup will be a very special experience in the country of the five-time world champions. For Brazilians, we know that the ultimate goal is to win the FIFA World Cup for the first time on home soil. That’s a huge expectation the team has to fulfil.
Jerome Valcke: One thousand days marks an important milestone for the organisation of the event. The LOC is organising together with the city of Belo Horizonte a commemorative event but it is great to see the enthusiasm in all host cities with many events taking place across the country. We are very pleased by the commitments expressed by the governors and mayors over the last few days in the build-up to this milestone event to assure FIFA that all will be done to make the FIFA World Cup a success.
With such an important milestone reached, how are the preparations coming along? To be honest there is still a lot of work to be done, which is normal with 1000 days ahead of the kick-off on 12 June 2014. But it is important that we keep in mind that it is even less to the opening match of the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013. It is essential that we must move quickly now and work closely with the authorities and host cities to make it all happen. And we are not talking about stadiums only, but also about all the infrastructure around such as airport capacities, public transport, level of accommodation to make this FIFA World Cup a memorable experience for teams and fans.
In 2014, the FIFA World Cup returns after 64 years to the country of the five-time champions. What does a FIFA World Cup in Brazil mean to you? You can simply feel that football is the beating heart of Brazil, a country of joy and celebration, blessed with natural beauty and a booming economy. Brazil is a fantastic country, so diverse and unique, very special. For all of us, this FIFA World Cup will be a very special experience in the country of the five-time world champions. For Brazilians, we know that the ultimate goal is to win the FIFA World Cup for the first time on home soil. That’s a huge expectation the team has to fulfil.
A carnival at the Marina
Saturday 30 July 2011
The beautifully decked-out Marina da Gloria provided the perfect setting for Brazilian President Dilma Roussef, who took to the stage to declare: "Brazil has now been admired for a lot more than its football, its music and its popular celebrations. I invite people from the whole world to meet Brazil and the Brazilians.
"Whoever comes here will find a country perfectly prepared to host the FIFA World Cup. You may be sure that this new Brazil will be perfectly ready to enchant the world in 2014, with its joyful, generous people that loves not only football, but also freedom, social justice and peace."
I'm happy to say today: 'Let the 2014 FIFA World Cup begin'.
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter had earlier opened proceedings, saying: "We are very happy to be back in Brazil 61 years after the last FIFA World Cup here, in a country whose heart beats with football. Brazil has always produced stars who make world football richer.
"The world is expecting a wonderful FIFA World Cup and for that we will have the support of everyone, in particular the 190million football lovers. Brazil is not only about football, it's also a multicultural country with a rich culture and a booming economy, now ranked seventh in the world. I'm happy to say today: 'Let the 2014 FIFA World Cup begin'."
The show, hosted by model and actress Fernanda Lima and TV presenter Tadeu Schmidt, then moved on to the main event: the draw. Former Brazil captain Cafu had been asked to conduct the draw for Africa, and the 2002 world champion made his way onto the stage accompanied by the rising star of Brazilian football, Neymar, fresh from scoring an incredible goal for Santos just a few days ago. The pair took to their task with relish, and when matters had been decided, Côte d'Ivoire and Morocco were left rueing their luck at being handed such a tough group.
Australia, Japan face challenge in Asia Legendary playmaker Zico was next up, accompanied by another new talent fresh off the Brazilian production line, Lucas, to conduct the draw for the Asian Zone. This time around it was Japan and Australia who found themselves facing a stern qualifying challenge.
Now two musicians took centre stage to the delight of the audience. Ivan Lins, the first Brazilian to win the album of the year at the Latin Grammy Awards, back in 2005, and Ana Carolina, one of the most celebrated singers of the last decade, provided the perfect musical interlude.
Then it was the turn of 1994 world champion Bebeto to take a bow, along with young Lucas Piazon, striker for the Brazil side that reached the semi-finals of the recent FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico 2011. Their job was to pick out countries for the North, Central America and the Caribbean Zone, and under the watchful eye of master of ceremonies FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, Mexico were handed a potentially tough draw.
Pianist and composer Daniel Jobim, grandson and rightful heir to the great Tom Jobim, provided another beautiful passage of music before Mario Zagallo and Felipe Bastos were called up to conduct the draw for Oceania.
Next it was the turn Ivete Sangalo to thrill the assembly with a delightful perfomance. The Bahia-state native, who has won a host of awards overseas for her music, was accompanied by the Heliopolis Symphonic Orchestra, which was set up by the Baccarelli institute in 1996 to provide grants to muscians from disadvantaged backgrounds to enable them to pursue their love of music.
Spain and France drawn together in Europe
The recently retired Ronaldo, top scorer in FIFA World Cup history, was last up, accompanied by the young prodigy from Santos and A Verde e Amarelo, Ganso. By the time they had finished pulling out the European countries, the likes of Croatia, Spain and France, all of whom find themselves in hard groups, were probably wishing they hadn’t bothered.
A final video promoting sport as a source of hope for a better future marked the end of a memorable show that set the seal on the qualifying procedure for football’s greatest showpiece. Let Brazil 2014 begin!
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