SAO PAULO STADIUM: Arena de Sao Paulo
Of the three biggest clubs in Sao Paulo, the only one which previously did not own a stadium with the necessary size and infrastructure to host games was the city’ s best-supported side: Sport Club Corinthians Paulista. Yet this long-yearned for dream of the Corinthians faithful has finally come true ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in the shape of the Arena de Sao Paulo.
MATCHES: Brazil VS Croatia, Uruguay VS England, Netherlands VS Chile; Korea
STADIUM: ARENA AMAZONIA
CURITIBA STADIUM: Arena da Baixada
Ever since renovation works were completed in June 1999, the historic Estadio Joaquim Americo – better known as the Arena da Baixada – has been considered one of Brazil’ s most modern and bestappointed stadiums. It came as no surprise, therefore, that the home ground of Atletico Paranaense, which was originally constructed back in 1914, was among those venues chosen to host games at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
MATCHES: Iran VS Nigeria; Honduras VS
BRASILIA
STADIUM: Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha
Few Brazilian cities can match the capital Brasilia when it comes to architecture, and the imposing Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha is a reflection of that, an arena with seating for 68,009 spectators, making it the second largest of the stadiums hosting matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The city’ s Estadio Nacional has been all but demolished to make way for the stadium, which boasts a new facade, metal roof and stands, as well as a lowered pitch enabling unobstructed views from every seat.
MATCHES: Switzerland VS Ecuador; Colombia VS Côte d ' Ivoire; Cameroon VS Brazil; Portugal VS Ghana; Round of
RIO DE JANEIRO STADIUM: Esta-dio Do Maracana
Built for the Brazil 1950 FIFA World Cup, the Estadio Jornalista Mario Filho, better known as the Maracana, provided the venue for that year’ s truly memorable decider between the host nation and Uruguay, one of the most dramatic chapters in the history of the competition. The Rio de Janeiro stadium will be in the limelight once again at Brazil 2014, hosting seven games in all, more than any other venue. Among those matches will be the Final on 13 July.
Once the largest stadium in the world, packing in crowds of up to 200,000 – among the highest attendances ever seen in the history of the game – the Maracana now has a reduced capacity of 73,531 for Brazil 2014. It remains, nevertheless, the country’ s biggest football ground.
MATCHES: Argentina VS Bosnia-Herzegovina; Spain VS Chile; Belgium VS Russia;
Welcome To Samba Country: The Venues
CUIABA STADIUM: Arena-Pantanal‘ O Verdao’
Given that the stadium in Cuiaba set to host matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, neighbours the flora- and fauna-rich region that is the Pantanal, it is no surprise that sustainability has been a central theme of the construction and maintenance of the new arena from the project’ s very beginning. The site’ s air and soil quality is also constantly monitored, all of which means the stadium’ s nickname of‘ O Verdao’( The Big Green) is particularly appropriate.
BELO HORIZONTE STADIUM: Estadio Mineirao
One of the most historic venues in Brazilian football and which is home home of Brazil ' s top clubs Atletico Mineiro and Cruzeiro, both former national champions, the 57, 483 capacity Estadio Mineirao has undergone a complete overhaul prior to hosting six matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
MATCHES: Colombia VS Greece; Belgium VS Algeria; Argentina VS Iran; Costa Rica VS England, Round of 16( 1A) VS( 2B);( W57)
PORTO ALEGRE STADIUM: Esta-dio Beira-Rio Located in a picture-postcard setting, on reclaimed land on the banks of the River Guaiba, the Estadio Beira-Rio is the home of Internacional, arch-rivals to their Porto Alegre neighbours Gremio. The venue of many a thrilling city derby and no fewer than four Copa Libertadores finals.
MATCHES: France VS Honduras; Australia VS Netherlands; Korea Republic VS Algeria; Nigeria VS Argentina; Round of 16-
COMPLETE FOOTBALL 3