FIFA announce 2014 cities

There were no real surprises as Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Cuiaba, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Manaus, Natal, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Sao Paulo were given the go-ahead to stage games in the tournament.

Seventeen cities had submitted bids and Belem, Campo Grande, Goiania, Rio Branco and Florianopolis were the five to miss out.

The selection covered all the main regions of Brazil and results in a tournament which will require plenty of long-distance travel for teams. The South American country is

the fifth biggest in the world by geographical size.

"The interest in Brazil was huge, and it was a very difficult decision to choose just 12 venues from the initial list of 17," FIFA president Sepp Blatter said. "We want to make this World Cup a sporting success and this is the most important thing."

The 2014 finals will be the first in Brazil since 1950, when Uruguay beat the hosts in the final.

South Africa will stage the finals in 2010.

"There are no winning and losing cities here in Brazil. We are all taking part in the World Cup here in Brazil and we can all be proud," said Brazilian Football Federation president Ricardo Terra Teixeira.

"For the 12 privileged cities chosen, it's the beginning of the work. They have a huge responsibility"

Manaus won the battle to be the venue for the Amazonian region ahead of Rio Branco and Belem.

FIFA had originally wanted just 10 venues for the finals but were persuaded by the Brazilians to allow two extra ones.

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said there was an enormous amount of work to be done in the coming five years.

"There is not a single city ready to host a World Cup game today or even in six months time," said Valcke.

Brazil have won the World Cup a record five times.

Population: 6 million, the former capital and self-styled Marvellous City contrasts stunning scenery and famous beaches with poverty, social problems and violence.

2014 stadium: The Maracana, built for the 1950 World Cup where it hosted the decisive round of matches. Twice refurbished in the last 10 years, the famous bowl-shaped area will undergo further reforms for 2014. Currently holds 92,000, well below its record of 199,000.

Teams: Flamengo claim to be Brazil's most popular with four Brazilian championship, one Libertadores and 31 Carioca titles. Rivals are Fluminense, Botafogo and second division Vasco da Gama.

Despite its glamorous reputation, drug-related gang warfare and violent street crime make Rio a daunting destination. Although there is a small metro, the city depends heavily on crime-ridden buses and unlicensed mini-vans for public transport. Guanabara bay, which gives the city such an impressive setting, is badly polluted.

Population: 11 million, the country's financial centre and host to the biggest Japanese population of any city outside Japan itself.

2014 stadium: the Morumbi. Like Maracana, a bowl-shaped stadium. Built in 1960 and owned by Sao Paulo, it will undergo reforms. Holds 69,000.

Teams: Corinthians claim to be the country's second-most popular club. Sao Paulo have won a record six Brazilian championships and three Libertadores Cups. Palmeiras, founded by the Italian community, are also former Libertadores champions. Santos have a large support in the city but are based in the port city around 50 kilometres away.

The city claims to have a good hotel infrastructure with 42,000 beds, although rooms are habitually in short supply for the annual Formula One race. The metro and railway networks cover only a tiny fraction of the city -- neither of the two airports has a connection - and Sao Paulo suffers from chronic traffic problems and pollution. Like Rio, violent crime is a serious concern.

Population: 2.4 million. Capital of Minas Gerais state, hosted the famous 1950 match where the United States beat England 1-0.

Stadium: The Mineirao, another bowl-shaped arena, will undergo extensive refurbishment which will include lowering the pitch.

Teams: Atletico Mineiro, the Roosters, and Cruzeiro, the Foxes, share nearly all the support and play in the first divsision. Third division America are a distant third in

One of South America's most important industrial centres. The main airport is 40 kilometres from the centre with no metro link. Crime will be a concern for foreign visitors.

Population: 1.4 million, capital of Rio Grando do Sul state.

2014 Stadium: the Beira-Rio. Another stadium where the crowd are set back from the pitch, it will be modernised for the World Cup.

The city, which can be surprisingly cold in winter, is considered one of Brazil's most advanced in terms of health, sanitation, education and the environment. Transport is heavily bus-based which makes it prone to traffic congestion. Crime is a worry in the centre.

Population: 1.8 million, capital of the state of Parana.

2014 stadium: Kyocera Arena. Regarded as Brazil's most modern stadium and one of the few where the crowd are close to the pitch, although there are only stands on three sides. Capacity will be enlarged from 25,000 to 41,000.

Teams: Atletico Paranaense and Coritiba, who play in the first division, and Parana, who play in the second, are the most popular.

One of Brazil's most developed cities, it has won worldwide recognition for innovative transport and environmental projects.

Population: 200,000. A purpose-built, planned city and capital since 1960. Hailed as futuristic at the time, although many buildings look dated nowadays. Up to ten times more people live in much poorer satellite cities outside the federal district.

Stadium: The Mane Garrincha, which will have its capacity increased from 60,000 to 76,000.

Teams: Currently without a first division side. Gama (third division) and Brasiliense (second division) are the most popular although many local fans prefer to support the big teams from Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, who often feel like home sides when the visit the capital.

The city was built to open up the interior of the country and promote greater integration. Listed as UNESO World Heritage site. The climate can be excessively dry in the winter. Visitors can find the transport system confusing with huge distances

between the various sectors. The city's name is often associated with political scandals. Crime rates are high in the satellite cities.

Population: 2.8 million, the country's first capital. The largest city on the northeast coast.

Stadium: the Fonte Nova. Closed since 2007 when a hole opened in the upper tier and eight people fell to their deaths on the street below. To be completely rebuilt with a capacity of 55,000.

Teams: Bahia and Vitoria share one of the bitterest rivalries in the country. Bahia, who have one Brazilian title, are in the second division.

Famous for its carnival, beaches, and its strong African cultural influences, Salvador suffers from serious crime and under-development. In the first five months of this, 74,000 cases of dengue fever were recorded with 53 deaths.

Population: 1.5 million. Located on the northeast coast, capital of the state of Pernambuco.

2014 stadium: Cidade da Copa. A new stadium which will be designed for 45,500 people and is due to be completed in 2011. A new neighbourhood will also be built around the stadium, including 9,000 homes, commercial centres and a hospital, although it will only be finished after the World Cup.

Teams: Sport Recife and Nautico are in the Brazilian first division while Santa Cruz are the city's other popular team although they are currently in the fourth division.

Popular for its beaches and tropical climate but many areas lack basic sanitation and it has one of the worst illiteracy rates in the country. Also suffers a crime problem.

Population: 800,000. Another beach-lined venue located on the northeast coast.

2014 Stadium: Arena das Dunas (The Dune arena), a new stadium which will be built on the site of the existing Machadao. Designed for 45,000 spectators, it is due to be finished in 2012.

Teams: America-Natal and ABC both play in the second division.

Famous for its sand dunes, Natal has a good offer of hotels. Critics have questioned the decision to spend millions in a city which, like others in the region, is plagued by poverty and social problems.

Population: 2.4 million, the fourth venue situated on the northeast coast.

2014 stadium: the Castelao (the Big Castle). Built in 1973, the stadium has been refurbished twice, in 1980 and 2000. Local organisers say it is one of the stadiums closest to meeting FIFA requirements. Capacity is 60,000

Teams: Arch-rivals Ceara and Fortaleza are both in the Brazilian second division.

Like other coastal cities, Fortaleza is proud of its palm-fringed tropical beaches and hot climate. It suffers from social problems and a chronic housing shortage, caused by mass migration to the city from the drought-stricken interior.

Population: 1.6 million. Capital of the state of the Amazonas, situated at the meeting point of the Negro and Solimoes rivers and the heart of the rain forest.

Stadium: the Vivaldao. Rebuilt in 2007 and will undergo further reforms for the World Cup. Part of a complex which includes a convention centre, sambadrome (carnival parade area), and indoor stadium. Capacity will be expanded from 52,000 to 60,000

Teams: Nacional play in the fourth division.

Located at the heart of the Amazon rain forest, Manuas has played the environment as its trump card. It has no road or rail connection to the rest of Brazil and air transport is the only viable way of reaching it from the southeast. Conditions are stifling for football, even at night.

Population: 500,000, located in the centre-west and close to the Pantanal wetlands, one of Brazil's most environmentally important regions.

2014 stadium: The Jose Fragelli or Verdao (The Big Green).

Built in 1974, the stadium would be completely rebuilt for the World Cup. Capacity would be increased by 40,000 to 48,000.

Teams: None are prominent nationally. Third division Mixto are the most popular. their best season was 1985 when they finished 14th in the first division.

Like Manaus, Cuiaba has put forward its environmental credentials. Difficult to reach - flights are infrequent, expensive and often involve a number of stops or changes while the road journey to Sao Paulo takes two days.