Soccer or Social problems, Brazil divided

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Rio De Janeiro, Aug 24: A FIFA inspection team arrived in Brazil yesterday for a look at the country's bid to host the 2014 World Cup.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said in a statement that the FIFA officials would visit five candidate cities ,Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia and Porto Alegre during their nine-day trip.

The other 13 candidate cities would make their presentations in Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil is the only country bidding to host the event, which is due to be staged in South America under FIFA's rotation system.

However, FIFA have said that Brazil, which staged the 1950 event, is not guaranteed to host the tournament. The event could go elsewhere if the bid is not up to scratch.

Brazilians are divided over whether the country, plagued by poverty, unemployment and social problems, should host the tournament.

Critics also wonder whether Brazil will be able to bring its dilapidated stadiums and creaking transport infrastructure up to the standards demanded FIFA.

FIFA's decision will be made on Oct. 30.

Reuters>