gaurav1987
Gaurav Garg
TOKYO, Dec 14: Internacional coach Abel Braga has raised doubts about Brazil's plan to host the 2014 World Cup, saying the country is not ready to hold the tournament.
Brazilian football officials formally declared their intention to bid for the competition during the ongoing Club World Cup here. "I don't think our environment is ready to have the World Cup in Brazil," the Brazilian coach said after Wednesday's 2-1 victory over Al Ahly.
"In terms of physical infrastructure like hotels and transport, safety, tourism and sight-seeing, our country is not ready.
"That's my personal feeling. I think Brazil has to solve these basic problems."
Brazil is the only country to declare a bid and is favourite to host the tournament, which FIFA wants in South America under its rotation policy.
But standards of infrastructure and safety could cause concern for the world governing body.
Aside from needing to revamp its stadiums and transport, Brazil is notorious for its street gangs and high crime levels.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said high standards had been set in recent World Cups and warned the governing body would be ready to look "further north" if there were no suitable South American candidates.
Brazil is the only five-time World Cup winner and hosted the tournament once before in 1950, losing 2-1 to Uruguay in the final.
Four previous World Cups have been held in South America: Uruguay 1930, Brazil 1950, Chile 1962 and Argentina 1978.
The next World Cup will be held in South Africa in 2010.
Brazilian football officials formally declared their intention to bid for the competition during the ongoing Club World Cup here. "I don't think our environment is ready to have the World Cup in Brazil," the Brazilian coach said after Wednesday's 2-1 victory over Al Ahly.
"In terms of physical infrastructure like hotels and transport, safety, tourism and sight-seeing, our country is not ready.
"That's my personal feeling. I think Brazil has to solve these basic problems."
Brazil is the only country to declare a bid and is favourite to host the tournament, which FIFA wants in South America under its rotation policy.
But standards of infrastructure and safety could cause concern for the world governing body.
Aside from needing to revamp its stadiums and transport, Brazil is notorious for its street gangs and high crime levels.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has said high standards had been set in recent World Cups and warned the governing body would be ready to look "further north" if there were no suitable South American candidates.
Brazil is the only five-time World Cup winner and hosted the tournament once before in 1950, losing 2-1 to Uruguay in the final.
Four previous World Cups have been held in South America: Uruguay 1930, Brazil 1950, Chile 1962 and Argentina 1978.
The next World Cup will be held in South Africa in 2010.