FIFA Confirms Brazil Confederations Cup Venues, New Sponsors and Slogan

(WFI) FIFA has confirmed the venues and match schedule of the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil that is a dry run for the World Cup.

Brasilia's 70,000-seat Mane Garrincha Stadium hosts the opening match on June 15, with the other host cities - Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Rio de Janeiro, Recife and Salvador - each staging three of the 16 games. The final takes place at Rio’s Maracana on June 30.

Last week, the FIFA Executive Committee ratified the six-venue plan for next year’s eight-nation competition. Amid concerns that stadium construction in Recife and Salvador is behind schedule, FIFA has given the cities until mid-November to show they can deliver on time.

The Confederations Cup already has one of the strongest line-ups ever, featuring the already qualified hosts Brazil, world champions Spain, Asian champions Japan, CONCACAF champions Mexico and South American champions Uruguay. The other spots will be filled by the African, European and Oceania champions.

“This event is more than just a curtain-raiser for what is to come in 2014," said FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke, who was joined at a Rio media briefing by sports minister Aldo Rebelo and LOC management board members Bebeto and Ronaldo.

"Yes, it is an important operational test for the country and host cities, but at the same time it showcases football at the highest level."

He added: "This has also been reflected by recent research, which shows that with 64 compared to 66 per cent, nearly as many Brazilians want to be in the stadium during the event in 2013 as for the FIFA World Cup one year later. And that is not to mention the incredible awareness for the event of 87% among Brazilians, which is higher than for the Olympics and the Copa América."

The announcement came a day after FIFA and Brazil 2014 revealed the official slogan for the World Cup “All in one rhythm” / “Juntos num só ritmo”.

Ronaldo described organisation of the Confederations Cup as "a big challenge for the six host cities, who have worked so hard to come to this point. But their effort will surely pay off with memorable matches, great celebrations and the huge international awareness that the tournament will raise for these cities".

“This line-up of top-level teams will display their talent in six new or fully refurbished stadiums. After the competition, we will have half of the venues ready and tested for the FIFA World Cup. One year ahead. This is very important for our team at the LOC,” Ronaldo added.

Sports Minister Rebelo said he was "very confident" that Brazil would stage the Confederations Cup to the highest standards.

New Brazil 2014 Sponsorship

Brazil 2014 has two more sponsors.

Wise Up, a leading English language school for adults which is present in over 70 cities in Brazil and all over the world, became the fourth national supporter of World Cup. Under the agreement, Wise Up will receive extensive marketing rights in Brazil for the Confederations Cup 2013 and the World Cup.

Globo Marcas has been appointed as FIFA’s master licensee for both events, with the agreement running up to the end of 2014. Globo Marcas has launched more than 3,500 products from 150 different brands since the company was founded in 2000.

The master licensee gains exclusive rights for the territory of Brazil, including the supply and distribution of official licensed products, the operation of official retail corners, and e-commerce retail operations. Globo Marcas will also take on the sale of official licensed products within the host stadia.


By INSIDER editor Mark Bisson

Your best source of news about the global football business is World Football INSIDER


Get Free WFI news bulletins Click Here

(Copyright 1992 - 2013, all rights reserved. The information in this report may not be published, excerpted, or otherwise distributed in print or broadcast without the express prior consent of World Football Insider and Around the Rings, Inc.)