Brazil faces heat of World Cup pressure
The national team - and the country - hope a Confederations Cup win will give them reason to celebrate further on a global stage in 2014
On the field, the Confederations Cup can give Brazil's national team a major boost in their quest to win a sixth World Cup title next year. Off the field, the eight-team tournament will offer the first hints about where the country stands in its preparations for the main event in 2014.
"Yes it is a lot of responsibility, but a dream come true," Brazil striker Neymar said. "But you don't have to think that wearing the yellow shirt is a heavy burden. You have to wear it as if you were playing in your own yard. Just be happy."
Brazil will play alongside defending world champions Spain, Italy, Uruguay, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria and Tahiti.
From President Dilma Rousseff on down, Brazilians are hoping the event will avoid major organisational glitches and instead spotlight high-quality soccer at six new or renovated stadiums.
"It's an important competition. There are four world champions and an Olympic champion there," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. "We have to have people who are absolutely delighted to be included in the squad."
Rousseff has visited the six Confederations Cup venues and boasted about the "beauty and modernity" of the stadiums.
"Many people did not think we would be able to build these stadiums before the Confederations Cup at the standards required by Fifa," Rousseff said.
"But the workers who built these stadiums, the businessmen hired to do these works and all the governments involved have proved that Brazil is able to accept challenges and fulfil promptly commitments undertaken."
In something of a bad omen, the day that Rousseff spoke a small part of the roof at the stadium in Salvador - a Confederations Cup venue - collapsed under the weight of heavy rainfall. There were no injuries.
The jury will be out until the final on June 30 at Rio's renovated Maracana Stadium.
The six stadiums have all faced delays, and last-minute problems are expected.
Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke has angered Brazil officials, repeatedly scolding them in public about getting things done on time. And he has acknowledged "not all operational arrangements will be 100 per cent," warning "this will be impossible to repeat for the Fifa World Cup."
Six more stadiums must be finished for the World Cup, and Valcke has set the deadline for all to be completed by December 31.
Brazil is spending an estimated US$3.5 billion on its World Cup venues. It also must upgrade its transportation infrastructure. Telecommunications and hotels also need upgrading, and the high cost of almost everything will shock first-time visitors.
The country also is being criticised for building "white elephant" soccer stadiums in at least three places - in Brasilia, in Manaus in the northern state of Amazonas, and in Cuiaba in the southwest. All lack local teams, or lack a team in Brazil's top league.
Jose Maria Marin, the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, was asked recently why 12 venues were needed for the tournament - and whether they would indeed become "white elephants".
"It will all depend on the creativity, the imagination of the owners and the operators of these stadiums," Marin replied. "It will depend on the imagination of each leader."
Some of the heat will be off if Brazil win the Confederations Cup, and things run smoothly. .
"I'm sure Brazil will shine on and off the field," Rousseff said. "Let's show those who follow the games - international and national tourists, players and technical staff - that we are a joyful and peaceful country.
"I'm sure all who come to visit us will fall in love and will want to return for the World Cup next year."
