2014 FIFA World Cup
Also known as 20th FIFA World Cup, 2014 FIFA World Cup Brasil, FIFA 2014, 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, FIFA World Cup 2014
20th FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil
AI overview
The 2014 FIFA World Cup was the world's premier international soccer tournament, held in Brazil and featuring the best national teams from around the globe competing for the championship title. It matters because the World Cup is one of the most widely watched sporting events in the world and represents the highest level of competition in soccer.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Wikidata facts
- Official website
- www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/brazil2014/index.html
- Image
- Alemanha-campea20140713 0007.jpg
Article
The 2014 FIFA World Cup was the 20th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for men's national football teams organised by FIFA. It took place in Brazil from 12 June to 13 July 2014, after the country was awarded the hosting rights in 2007. It was the second time that Brazil staged the competition, the first being in 1950, and the fifth time that it was held in South America.
31 national teams advanced through qualification competitions to join the host nation in the final tournament (with Bosnia and Herzegovina as the only debutant). A total of 64 matches were played in 12 venues located in as many host cities across Brazil. For the first time at a World Cup finals, match officials used goal-line technology, as well as vanishing spray for free kicks. FIFA Fan Fests in each host city gathered a total of 5 million people, and the country received 1 million visitors from 202 countries. Spain, the defending champions, were eliminated at the group stage. Host nation Brazil, who had won the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, lost to Germany 7–1 in the semi-finals and eventually finished in fourth place.