The 2014 World Cup host country Brazil on Friday decided five of its cities that will host the games.

Like the tournament held in Germany in 2006, Brazil will also have twelve cities throughout the country where games will be played. Whereas the 2010 World Cup host South Africa will only have 10 host cities.

The five cities are: Brasilia, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte and Porto Alegre. The other seven cites will be named by Jan. 30 when FIFA officials will travel to Brazil to inspect the stadiums and the infrastructure of relative cities.

Cities in Brazil that are in serious contention of being nominated are Fortaleza, Recife, Salvador and Curitiba. Other cities that are competing to be included are Manaus, Belem, Cuiaba, Goiania, Campo Grande and Florianopolis. Either Belem or Manaus isexpected to be selected in order to represent the Amazon region of the country, facilitating and promoting eco-tourism of the area.

(Xinhua News Agency December 27, 2008)