By Andrew Collins
WORLD CUP BRAZIL 2014
“Juntos num só ritmo” (All in One Rhythm)
This year’s football World Cup takes place in Brazil, the second time the country has hosted the tournament, the first being in 1950. The tournament runs from 12th June to 13th July 2014.
32 qualifying teams will compete – including England of course – starting in eight groups (A-H).
The slogan for this year’s football extravaganza is “All in One Rhythm” which was chosen out of 27 other contenders and relates to the inherent rhythm of life and music in Brazilian culture.
Brazilian Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo sums up the feelings behind the winning phrase:
“The slogan is an invitation to all Brazilians to join together and celebrate the immense sense of pride in our country’s position on the global stage and our role as hosts of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
It is also an invitation to everybody, Brazilians and international visitors, to find and explore the new rhythm of Brazil: the rhythm of unity and diversity, the rhythm of innovation, the rhythm of nature, the rhythm of football and the rhythm of Brazilian culture.”
Despite various set-backs in stadium construction and several tragic related deaths, the multi-billion Real tournament looks set to be as spectacular, exciting and unpredictable as Brazil itself; full of colour, joy, sadness, music, passion and superb football.
The opening match is BRAZIL v CROATIA in Sao Paulo on 12th June, and the final takes places at Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro on July 13th.
OPENING GROUPS
