Russia begins drawing up multi-billion dollar infrastructure plan for 2018 World Cup
By Duncan Mackay
December 4 – A massive infrastructure project has been launched in Russia to ensure that the country is ready to host the 2018 World Cup.
World Cup
Protests in Rio de Janeiro over privatisation of Maracanã
By Duncan Mackay
December 1 – A protest march has been held against the privatisation of Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium, which is currently being redeveloped for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics.
Manaus warned it risks being cut as World Cup venue as Valcke demands it speeds up
By Andrew Warshaw
November 30 – Considerable work still needs to be done to bring Brazil up to speed for both next summer’s Confederations Cup and the 2014 World Cup, according to FIFA secretary general Jérôme Valcke.
FIFA makes revenue-boosting change to World Cup sponsorship rules
By Andrew Warshaw
November 28 – FIFA has modified its World Cup sponsorship rules by changing the “national supporter” category to “continental supporter” – starting with the 2018 event in Russia.
Brazil stadiums will be ready for 2014 World Cup, says FIFA’s Valcke
By Andrew Warshaw
November 27 – All 12 stadiums will be ready to stage the 2014 World Cup despite continuing concerns over construction delays, according to FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke.
Brazil’s Del Nero embroiled in police probe
By Andrew Warshaw
November 27 – Marco Polo Del Nero, Brazil’s FIFA Executive Committee member, has been interrogated by police investigating financial crimes and extortion – the latest blow to the image of both football’s world governing body and the 2014 World Cup hosts.
Unexploded bomb discovered near new Russia 2018 World Cup stadium in Moscow
By Duncan Mackay
November 26 – A unexploded World War Two bomb has been discovered on the site of a new stadium being built in Moscow for the 2018 World Cup.
Brazil 2014 unveils name for World Cup armadillo mascot
By Duncan Mackay
November 26 – Fuleco is the name chosen by the Brazilian public for the controversial cartoon armadillo who will be the official mascot of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, it was announced today.
Samson Adamu denies Qatar 2022 bribery allegations
By Andrew Warshaw
November 26 – Samson Adamu, son of discredited Nigerian football powerbroker Amos Adamu, has hit back at allegations that he collaborated with the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup bid team in the build up to the ballot almost two years ago.
Hosting 2010 World Cup worth “intangible legacy” to South Africa claims new report
By Duncan Mackay
November 26 – Hosting the 2010 World Cup was worth “intangible legacy” to South Africa, despite costing the country more than $3 billion (£2 billion/€2.5 billion), the Government’s final report has concluded.
New debate over future of 1980 Moscow Olympic Stadium after calls for it to be knocked down and rebuilt
By Duncan Mackay
November 25 – There is a row in Russia over whether Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, which hosted the 1980 Olympics, should be demolished and rebuilt in time for the 2018 FIFA World Cup or saved because of its historic importance.
St Petersburg chosen to host final of 2017 Confederations Cup
By Duncan Mackay
November 20 – St Petersburg will host the opening match and final of the 2017 Confederations Cup, the warm-up tournament for the following year’s World Cup in Russia, it has been announced.
Maracanã will be ready by February despite quarter of work still to be done, promises Rio
By Duncan Macaky at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro
November 19 – The Maracanã, the iconic stadium due to host the final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Rio 2016 Olympics, will be ready in late February next year although a quarter of the work remains to be done, the chairman of the company building it promised today.
Russian authorities promise to eradicate hooliganism in 2018 World Cup build-up
By Andrew Warshaw
November 19 – Russian authorities have promised to clamp down on hooliganism and beef up security after the latest alarming outbreak of fan violence that has shocked the country and cast a dark shadow over its credibility as hosts of the 2018 World Cup.
Qataris hit back at ‘malicious and reckless’ allegations
By Andrew Warshaw
November 19 – The bidding process for the 2022 World Cup burst into fresh controversy today after allegations by the Sunday Times newspaper that Qatar officials considered offering $1 million (£630,000/€785) to the son of Amos Adamu, a member of the FIFA executive committee that handed the tournament to the tiny Gulf state.