Executive fully backs Brazil to host a great 2014 FIFA World Cup™

Chaired by FIFA President Blatter, the FIFA Executive Committee held its second meeting of the year in São Paulo, Brazil, on 7 June, ahead of the 64th FIFA Congress and the kick-off of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™.

The executive reaffirmed its full support to and trust in Brazil to organise a great FIFA World Cup™ in the country of the five-time world champions. FIFA’s flagship event will kick off on 12 June with the opening game, Brazil v. Croatia, to be played in São Paulo.

But while the attention of the world will be focused on the men’s FIFA World Cup™ for the next few weeks, the executive also discussed the development and competitions of women’s football. In this regard, it was agreed that ten key development principles proposed by the Task Force for Women’s Football will be submitted to the upcoming FIFA Congress for approval.

The executive discussed the final preparations for the 64th FIFA Congress where, amongst others, Michael J. Garcia, chairman of the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee, will give a report on the committee’s activities.

On the issue of labour rights in the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ host country, the executive took note of some recent changes initiated by the State of Qatar but confirmed that it will continue to monitor this dossier very closely. A FIFA delegation will visit Qatar later this year.

Regarding media allegations of unethical behaviour related to the vote for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ host country, the executive reaffirmed its position of letting the Ethics Committee complete its work before making any comment.

Concerning the situation in Israel and Palestine, FIFA President Blatter reported on his recent trip to the Middle East and on the progress made (see article : “FIFA President Blatter completes trip to Middle East”). Further meetings with all stakeholders will take place before the Congress, when the issue will be tackled.
On the financial side, the executive approved the decision of the Finance Committee to award the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup™ media rights in the UK to BBC/ITV and in Germany, for 2022, to ARD/ZDF.

It also confirmed the decision of the Finance Committee to donate USD two million to help the football associations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Romania and Serbia rebuild their football infrastructures, which were damaged by the recent serious floods in the region. FIFA and UEFA will conduct a joint initiative.

Other matters:
– The principles of the 2015-2017 women’s international calendar were approved. The calendar itself will be presented in September. However, the dates for the first half of 2015, which includes the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015TM, were approved today.

– Youth Olympic Football Tournaments Nanjing 2014, girls’ tournament: Mexico will replace Canada

– FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2016: following South Africa’s withdrawal from hosting the event, the executive will appoint a new host at its next meeting in September

The next meeting of the FIFA Executive Committee will be held in Zurich on Thursday, 25 and Friday, 26 September 2014.

FIFA.com Media Release