Is It Time for Brazil?

At the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the musician Shakira’s catchy lyrics, “This time for Africa,” rang true with the success of the Cup. Now, as the football-enthused nation of Brazil prepares to host the next World Cup in 2014, a similar question arises: is it time for Brazil? Like South Africa, Brazil faces many economical and structural issues to be resolved in preparation for the World Cup. It remains to be seen if the Cup will give the Latin American nation a moment to shine or if it will exacerbate realities of structural insufficiency and corruption.

Looking back in history, Brazil first hosted the World Cup in 1950, the first such event since the end of World War II. That World Cup came close to never taking place due to lack of international interest, as most countries wanted to pour resources into reconstruction rather than entertainment. Finally, Brazil submitted an uncontested bid in 1946 and was approved. Brazil built the world’s largest football stadium at that time, the Maracana, but then suffered defeat to Uruguay in the final match, one still remembered today.

64 years later, having won with an uncontested bid on October 30, 2007, Brazil is again preparing to host the World Cup to be held in the summer of 2014. At that time, there were six continental confederations through which FIFA rotated the World Cup nomination every four years, a policy that has now been discontinued. Brazil was the only country nominated by the South American Confederation (CONMEBOL), and was thus granted the bid. However, in 2007 the Latin American country was far from being prepared for the event; many changes would have to be made, especially in the areas of infrastructure and corruption. Upon accepting the bid, Brazil had no stadiums in compliance with FIFA safety standards, including the famous Maracana stadium. Despite these setbacks, Brazil was aware of the impact of hosting such a global event, and preparations would force the nation to transform its infrastructure and social atmosphere.

Concerted efforts are still needed before these changes can fully materialize. Before the World Cup, Brazil must build the necessary stadiums and improve air and land transportation, as well as deal with the threat of water and electricity outages. Former FIFA President Joao Havelange has expressed concerns about these proceedings, while the Brazilian Audit Court fears that poor management and planning, along with corruption and lack of transparency, will be detrimental to Brazil’s progress. According to Transparency International’s 2010 corruption report, Brazil is ranked at 69th with a score of 3.7 (on a scale in which 0.0 indicates complete corruption and 10 the lack thereof). Brazilian government officials are showing a lack of transparency in their failure to control costs and adhere to deadlines. A report from a government watchdog warned of the risk of mismanagement of public funds during construction.

Corruption is one of the biggest impediments Brazil faces as it attempts to improve its infrastructure before the tournament. The condition of Brazil’s airports needs to be improved for both the World Cup and the country’s own development. The influx of spectators and athletes, as well as Brazil’s expanding middle class, requires a better-developed infrastructure for accommodations. However, problems with environmental licensing, poor planning, and funding issues are contributing to the slow progress on airports in twelve Brazilian host cities.

Furthermore, corruption has led to human rights violations as well. In Rio de Janeiro, the country’s second largest city, slum dwellers have filed complaints with the Organization of American States claiming that they had been forcefully relocated to make room for World Cup preparations. International pressure on these violations may impact the proceedings for Brazil. The twelve host cities also face major problems. The stadium in São Paulo, which will be used for the opening night, has not been approved by FIFA, although the deadline was last year. Havelange has expressed worries that Brazil might face embarrassment due to insufficient planning and preparation.

While Brazil’s level of preparation might be cause for concern, looking back at South Africa’s progress four years earlier may serve to alleviate fears. Brazil actually observed South Africa’s preparations in 2009 as it looked ahead to its own World Cup hosting. The governor of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, Blairo Borges Maggi, watched the proceedings and was pleased to see how infrastructure, tourism, job creation, and the rebuilding of South Africa’s image all coincided with World Cup preparations. While South Africa was on track to host the World Cup in 2009, today’s conditions are not as favorable for Brazil. In 2008, many of the same problems facing Brazil today also plagued South Africa. Yet the latter was able to overcome such adversities, and South Africa’s ability to prepare for and execute a successful World Cup raises hope that Brazil will be able to do the same.

In order for Brazil to achieve the same success that South Africa did, the nation needs to take a firmer position against corruption and adhere to deadlines set by FIFA. With the election of a new president, Brazil has a unique opportunity to enact change. As the new and first female President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff has positioned her presidency as one which will lead to a new era, and which will protect the vulnerable people in Brazil’s society. With a strong interest in human rights and plans to improve the economy and infrastructure, Rousseff’s leadership may be what Brazil needs as it continues with the preparations. In keeping with this, Rouseff is expected to serve an important advisory role in the World Cup proceedings.

In the end, will 2014 prove to be the time for Brazil? For now, only time will tell.