Exclusive: Russia 2018 could centre around 12 host cities, says Sorokin
By David Gold
July 5 – Russia 2018 chief executive Alexey Sorokin has not ruled out having as many as 12 cities staging matches during the World Cup in six years’ time.
World Cup
Exclusive: England could play friendly against Brazil to mark opening of Mineirão stadium
By Andrew Warshaw
July 3 – England could be invited to play a friendly in Brazil to mark the opening of the new Mineirão 2014 World Cup stadium in Belo Horizonte, insideworldfootball has learned.
Exclusive: Sorokin reveals late September decision on Russia 2018 host cities
By David Gold
July 1 – Russia 2018 chief executive Alexey Sorokin has revealed to insideworldfootball that FIFA will make a decision on the host cities of the World Cup at the end of September.
FIFA’s Valcke “impressed” by Recife’s progress on latest visit to Brazil
By David Gold
June 28 – FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke has visited Recife in Brazil as he conducts a three-day trip to the 2014 World Cup hosts and has said he is confident that the north eastern city will be ready for the 2013 Confederations Cup.
FIFA heads to Kazan and Nizhny Novgorod as Russia 2018 host cities inspection continues
By Andrew Warshaw
June 20 – With three months to go until the Russian cities bidding to host the 2018 World Cup learn their fate, a FIFA inspection delegation has moved on to Kazan and Nizhny Novgorod, two of the lesser-known prospective venues.
Match finds there’s an awful lot of hospitality in Brazil
By David Owen
June 15 – Intense interest in the 2014 World Cup has ratcheted up official hospitality sales to record levels with two years still to go before kick-off.
Workers’ rights under review by Qatar 2022
By Andrew Warshaw
June 14 – Qatar 2022 have promised to give labour rights in the Gulf state key consideration after a lengthy report suggested they were not up to international standards.
FIFA’s Jérôme Valcke focuses on “rising anticipation” ahead of Brazil 2014
By Andrew Warshaw
June 12 – Exactly two years before the start of the Brazil 2014 World Cup, FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke, back in his role as the tournament’s chief trouble-shooter, has spoken of the “rising anticipation” through South America.
FIFA’s Prince Ali “expresses concerns” over Asia World Cup qualifiers refereeing
By Andrew Warshaw
June 11 – Jordanian Football Association President Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, the forward-thinking new vice-president of FIFA, has taken the unusual step of criticising the standard of refereeing after his country were controversially trounced 6-0 by Japan in a World Cup qualifier.
Exclusive: World Cup preparations are “going well”, insists Brazil’s Sports Minister
By David Gold
June 8 – Aldo Rebelo, Brazil’s Sports Minister, has told insideworldfootball that the infrastructure development and construction projects taking place for the hosting of the 2014 FIFA World Cup are “going well”, despite suffering a raft of bad press and setbacks in recent months.
Brazilian President gives controversial World Cup law final sign-off
By David Gold
June 6 – Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff has finally signed the controversial 2014 World Cup law, bringing to an end the wrangling over its content.
Sochi praised by FIFA World Cup 2018 delegation
By David Gold
June 1 – The head of the FIFA delegation currently touring prospective host cities for the Russia 2018 World Cup has praised the black sea resort of Sochi.
Brazil launch 2014 World Cup slogan
By David Gold
June 1 – Brazil 2014 has launched its official slogan for the world cup – “all in one rhythm”.
FIFA’s Jérôme Valcke makes first trip to Brazil since “Bagshot blunder”
By Andrew Warshaw
May 28 – For the first time since his infamous “kick up the backside” comments, FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke is flying to Brazil today to resume his duties as the organisation’s main negotiator for the 2014 World Cup.
Brazil 2014 report reveals “most projects will be completed in 2013”
By David Gold
May 25 – Brazil’s Ministry of Sport has revealed its latest assessment of preparations for the 2014 World Cup, with Minister Aldo Rebelo claiming that “most projects will be completed in 2013”.