Lorena Sánchez García

After 28 years, football’s World Cup returns to Latin America, and this time in a big way, since the Brazil 2014 competition will not only take place in the international football mecca, but the region will be well-represented with teams qualifying from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Honduras and Mexico. The setting, plus the fact that no European team has ever won a title playing in the Americas, make the event a real opportunity for countries on this side of the Atlantic.

Well before the first kick-off takes place June 12, favorites in the battle were identified: Spain, as the champion to be dethroned; Germany with the most talented mid-field in recent memory; Argentina, with a first class offense; Uruguay, dreaming of a repeat Maracanazo; plus Italy, Britain and France, which as past champions, and traditional powers, draw thousands of fans.

The Beira Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre will host five World Cup games, including the quarter finals. The first round games scheduled there are France vs Honduras; Australia-Netherlands, South Korea-Algeria and Nigeria-Argentina.

All of them can, with good reason, be considered candidates, although other teams could be added to the list, since they too have stars on their rosters.

Portugal, with just Cristiano Ronaldo - if he does ultimately play – meets this requirement, as well as the always-competitive Netherlands, with Arjen Robben, Wesley Snaijder and Robin Van Persie.

Ball control and a strong defense are Brazil’s strong points, with the team vying for a sixth title on their home turf.

Belgium’s Red Devils, despite having missed the big event for the last 12 years, are counting on the surprise factor, with a new generation of largely unknown, excellent players, including Chelsea half-back Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois, an Atlético de Madrid goalie.

Will the Spanish led by Vicente del Bosque be able to defend their title, and debunk the myth that no European team can win on this side of the Atlantic?

Brazil 2014, much awaited by football fans everywhere, will no doubt capture the world’s attention, despite shortcomings which have emerged on the organizational level. With opening day just around the corner, International Association officials have expressed concern about the readiness of three stadiums, among the 12 scheduled to be used in World Cup competition. Venues in the cities of Natal, Porto Alegre and Sao Paulo, have, reportedly, not yet been adequately tested to ensure functioning during the tournament.

Brazil’s former star player Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima expressed his confidence that the World Cup in Brazil will be brilliant. Foto: EFE.

Other problems have emerged over the last few months, including a petition by the Brazilian Athletes’ Federation to change the scheduling of games set to begin at 1:00 pm, arguing that the heat and humidity at this hour could have a negative impact on players, especially at sites in the northern part of the country. If changes are not made, officials have suggested a two-minute recess during each period, to allow players to hydrate.

Protests continue denouncing the sky-rocketing cost of hosting the World Cup, while former player Ronaldo Luís Nazario de Lima, a member of the organizing committee, said in an interview with the daily Folha de Sao Paulo that the World Cup would be a brilliant event, even though Brazil will not benefit from its legacy as expected, if the International federation doesn’t promote another such event in Brazil.

Football fans across the planet are waiting to hear if Portugal’s FIFA Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo will overcome injuries and arrive in shape to shine during the Brazil World Cup.

Beyond preferences for one team or another, the tournament is of interest to fans who keep track of records. This could be the World Cup during which Ronaldo’s record as the event’s highest scorer, (15 goals), could be broken by Germany’s Miroslav Klose. Italy could match Brazil’s record of five world titles, and Germany will go down in history as the first team to play 100 games in World Cup competition, after debuting against Portugal in Group G’s first game. (Brazil has 97.)

Sao Paulo’s beautiful Arenas Corinthians Stadium, with seating for 61,606, was chosen for the inaugural game, Brazil-Croatia.