2014 World Cup starts Sao Paulo, ends in Rio
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil will start in Sao Paulo on June 12 and conclude in Rio de Janeiro on July 13, FIFA announced Thursday.
Five-time World Cup champion and host Brazil will play the first match of the event in Sao Paulo at a new 65,000-seat stadium, and be a favorite to make the final in Rio at Maracana stadium, which hosted the 1950 World Cup final.
The 1950 final, which Uruguay won 2-1 over Brazil, set an attendance record of 199,854. The Maracana has been renovated and now seats fewer than 100,000, and will undergo another update before the tournament.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Brazil will only play in the Maracana if it reaches the final.
The tournament will be played in 12 cities across Brazil.