The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has recently confirmed that 17 Brazilian cities are under consideration for the 12 host cities required for the 2014 World Cup to be held in the country. Traditionally there are only 10 cities able to partake in the World Cup but for Brazil 2014 this number has been expanded to 12 of the 17 put forward. There is intense speculation about some of the smaller cities and whether they will receive the “nod” from FIFA which could in some cases lead to a potential property bubble and substantial international interest.
Sport and property have for many years gone hand in hand with the Olympic Games for one being a significant property magnate at each and every venue chosen. There is some debate as to whether one-off sporting events have a short-term, medium-term or long-term impact on any particular region with the jury out in many cases. However, there is no doubt that the short-term benefit to the property in a region which is set to post for example the FIFA World Cup can be substantial.
The 17 cities put forward as potential hosts for football games in the 2014 World Cup include:-
Porto Alegre
Situated in the south of Brazil, Porto Alegre is in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and has a population approaching 1.5 million. Interestingly the climate during the summer period in which the World Cup will be held is at the lower range of those common throughout the year – something which could be beneficial to the European participants in the World Cup.
Florianopolis
Florianopolis is another city which is located in southern Brazil, in the state of Santa Catarina with a population of around 400,000. As with Porto Alegre, the summer months offer the lowest temperatures of the year in Florianopolis, something which could actually impact upon the thoughts and decisions made by FIFA.
Curitiba
Situated in a state of Parana, Curitiba is another city located in southern Brazil which has a population of around 1.8 million. The weather in the region will also be beneficial to the World Cup organisers with the lowest rainfall and the lowest temperatures in the European summer months. The developed transport network together with services and facilities available in the city make this one of the favourites for the southern region of Brazil.
Rio De Janeiro
There is very little that you can add to information about the city of Rio de Janeiro which has a population of over 7 million and is a certainty to host a significant number of World Cup football games. The venue is sure to play a major part in the latter stages of the tournament although the final itself is likely to be played in Brasilia.
Belo Horizonte
While perhaps not one of the better-known cities of Brazil, Belo Horizonte is located in the south-east in the state of Mina Gerais and has a population approaching 2.5 million. This is one of the favourites among many observers to play a substantial part in the 2014 World Cup. The potential impact upon the property market in the region could warrant substantial consideration from property investors.
Brasilia
The potential impact the World Cup could have on the city of Brasilia could be enormous with the central west Brazilian city being many people’s favourite to host the World Cup final. The city’s has a population approaching 2.5 million and also offers a potentially favourable climate for European football teams. The clamour for property in Brasilia will have started already with the football stadium and surrounding areas set to become a focal point in the run-up to the tournament.
Goiania
Goiania is possibly an outside gamble for a role in the forthcoming World Cup tournament as its central location and significant population of 1.2 million would indicate an infrastructure and services which are capable of accommodating the substantial increase in visitor numbers. The only possible factor against the city is the relatively high temperatures and low rainfall around the time the tournament will be held but this is something which is unlikely to have a major impact upon the final decision of FIFA.
Campo Grande
The city of Campo Grande in central west Brazil is one which could register with the FIFA because of its central location and very accommodating climate. With a population approaching 800,000, although not as large as some of the other cities under consideration, it has a decent reputation and the property market in the region should benefit if it makes the final list of 12.
Cuiaba
The central Brazil city of Cuiaba is another one which should be a strong contender to host some of the World Cup games in 2014. The city’s infrastructure and travel network should assist on the positive side and while it is fairly small in terms of the population (around 540,000) there are attractions to choosing this popular city.
Rio Branco
Rio Branco is also another fairly small city, with a population of just over 300,000, but the location and travel network will again attract the attention of FIFA. This North Brazilian city has a very interesting strategic location being on the border with Peru and with regular flights to all major cities in Brazil as well as international destinations.
Manaus
Manaus has become one of the favourites to gain a place in the forthcoming World Cup amongst a number of observers. Based in the north of Brazil the city has a population of over 1.7 million, a growing economy and impressive tourist industry. It is fairly easy to see why this has become one of the favourites in the eyes of many.
Belem
The city of Belem is another which is located in the north of Brazil and in the eyes of many it is fighting for a position in the 2014 World Cup with neighbouring Manaus. The population of Belem is slightly less than that of its neighbour with just over 1.4 million people although it has a rich history, unique architecture and a beauty that could prove vital in the final run-in.
Salvador
The fact that Salvador is recognised as the wealthiest city in the north eastern region of Brazil should be more than enough to see it onto the list of FIFA approved venues for the forthcoming World Cup. With a population approaching 3 million, an excellent transport network (both domestic and internationally) the city of Salvador also has much to offer in the way of tourist attractions, multicultural facilities and some of the best services in Brazil.
Recife
Recife is another hot favourite to play a major role in the 2014 World Cup final being the fourth largest metropolitan area in Brazil with 5 million people against 1.7 million living directly in the city. The position on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the fact the area is popular with International business and international visitors has seen many observers pencil the city of Recife onto the FIFA list already.
Natal
While Natal has been one of the more prominent Brazilian property hotspots for some time it would appear there has been a distinct lack of interest in the forthcoming World Cup finals and many are suggesting the area is not ready for such an event. The local authorities appear to have been slow to consider venues for the World Cup and while the travel network has undergone serious development over the last two years again there is still much work to be done. While Natal should probably have been one of the venues for the World Cup many expect it to miss out.
Fortaleza
The north-east coastal shore of Brazil is the location for the city of Fortaleza which has emerged as one of the favourites to also play a major part in the forthcoming World Cup. The population of the region is around 2.4 million and its location offers an excellent mix of tourism, business and an international travel network which is sure to see significant visitors during the World Cup tournament. Tourism is already a major part of the area although many expect the property market to benefit if as expected it is confirmed as one of the venues for the World Cup.
Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo is certain to be one of the venues for the 2014 World Cup finals as this is the largest city in Brazil and offers a massive variation of culture, tourism and architecture. Often seen as one of the business centres of Brazil the region already has a substantial property market and a population which has grown significantly over the years, now topping 11 million. This is a venue which is sure to be involved in both the early and latter stages of the football tournament.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the World Cup finals in 2014 will again place Brazil at the centre of international property market and attract the attention of investors from around the world. While the larger cities are certain to play a major role in the World Cup finals, the potential for substantial change in some of the smaller Brazilian cities under consideration, if they are selected, could be very exciting for property investors.
Football is more like a religion in Brazil than a sport and the country is certain to give an excellent account of itself, with the national team sure to be one of the favourites to lift the World Cup trophy. The impact upon the larger property market is more difficult to forecast although there may be potentially significant returns to be had for those “early bird investors” willing to take a chance on some of the smaller cities under consideration.