With Cup stadium projects underway, top builders reaping big rewards

Some of Brazil´s biggest construction companies are already taking advantage of the country´s preparations for the 2014 World Cup, with the majority of the lead contractors for stadium projects now decided.

New airline bodes well for Australia-Brazil options

The recently initiated merger plan involving Brazil's TAM and Chile's LAN airlines is likely to create significant benefits for travel between Australian and Brazil. As an existing Partner of Qantas and with a strong presence in Australia, LAN Chile already services a strong portion of Australia to South America travellers, however Brazil flights have always required between one and three stops, usually Auckland, New Zealand and Santiago, Chile before connections with either Sao Paulo or Rio.

International interest in Brazil continues to grow

Providing yet another clear indication of the growing foreign interest in Brazil ahead of the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics, a trade mission consisting of up to forty companies from Ireland is being organised for November, around the same time as a similar mission currently being planned in Australia.

2014 Cup final stage finally has a builder

The major renovation of Rio de Janeiro´s hallowed Maracanã stadium for the 2014 World cup has moved a step closer to fruition with the selection of a consortium responsible for the works. The Maracanã Rio 2014 consortium, consisting of Brazilian companies Andrade Gutierrez, Odebrecht and Delta, presented the lowest quote of R$705.6 million, which is 2.14% less than the cost predicted in the project budget. The second placed tender, by construction giant OAS, came in at R$712 million.

Athletes and figures show up massive lack of sporting infrastructure in Brazil

The drive to instil a stronger national sport policy in Brazil ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics (and, to a lesser extent the 2014 World Cup) continues unabated with a group of the country’s most well known athletes launching a push to encourage greater and fairer access to sport in schools and municipalities, including a major improvement in Brazil’s sporting infrastructure.

High performance commitment looking a solid bet

Brazilian president hopeful Dilma Rousseff, one of the favourites thanks in part to her being the candidate from the same party as popular incumbent President Lula, has made some encouraging comments for Brazilian sport development during a meeting with the Rio 2016 organising committee.

Fortaleza´s castle to be the home of Cup activity

One of Brazil’s most sought after tourist destinations, Fortaleza ('Fortress'), the capital of the north-eastern state of Ceará, is sure to be a popular spot during the 2014 World Cup. Notable for its beaches - there are 15 on the outskirts of the municipality – the city has a population of around 2.5 million, with 3.4 million in the wider metropolitan area. Importantly, Fortaleza´s tight 313km2 means the city has one of the highest population densities in the country at close to 8,000 per km2.

Security centres for each host city

In an update to last week’s report on new security funding released for 2014 Cup preparations, the federal government has added details about a `command centre` that will be established especially for the event.