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From Manaus to Porto Alegre, the FIFA 2014 World Cup will be played across 12 stadiums in Brazil. And, even among all the hardships and controversies surrounding the preparation of the stadiums, fans and players alike will surely be delighted by the culture and locations that revolve around the stadiums. We bring you a slideshow with all the 12 stadiums which will play host to matches at this summer's World Cup.
#1 Estadio Mineirao
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Based in the Pampulha neighbourhood of Belo Horizonte, Estadio Mineirao is home to Atletico Mineiro and Cruzeiro, and has the capacity to support 57,483 people. It has been undergoing a complete renovation for the tournament. The stadium will be hosting one semi-final as well.
Fixtures: 14 June, Colombia v Greece; 21 June, Argentina v Iran; 24 June, Costa Rica v England; 17 June, Belgium v Algeria; 28 June, Second-round, Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B; 8 July, Semi-final, Winner Quarter-final 1 v Winner Quarter-final 2.
#2 Estadio Nacional
Based in capital Brasilia, the Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha can seat upto 68,009 spectators, making it the second largest stadium among all the stadiums featuring in the tournament. It will be hosting seven games, including a quarter-final tie.
Fixtures: 15 June, Switzerland v Ecuador; 19 June, Colombia v Ivory Coast; 23 June, Cameroon v Brazil; 26 June,Portugal v Ghana; 30 June, Second-round, Winner Group E v Runner-up Group F; 5 July, Quarter-final, Winner Second-round 7 v Winner Second-round 8; 12 July, Third-place match.
#3 Arena Pantanal
Arena Pantanal is a new stadium based in Cuiaba which is nicknamed 'O Verdão' meaning The Big Green because of it's sustainable approach with the construction of the stadium. A total of four matches will be played here, and the stadium boasts of a capacity of holdity upto 42,968 supporters.
Fixtures: 13 June, Chile v Australia; 17 June, Russia v South Korea; 21 June, Nigeria v Bosnia-Hercegovina; 24 June, Japan v Colombia.
#4 Arena da Baixada
Home to Atletico Paranaense, the Arena da Baixada is undergoing renovation works for the World Cup. The seating capacity has been increased upto 40,000, and the stadium is set to host four World Cup matches. It is based in the city of Curitiba, Paraná. However, on 22 January 2014, FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke visited the site for inscpection, and stated that the city may be dropped as a World Cup host city if sufficient progress in the renovation of the arena was not shown by 18 February.
Fixtures: 16 June, France v Nigeria; 20 June, Honduras v Ecuador; 23 June, Australia v Spain; 26 June, Algeria v Russia.
#5 Estadio Castelao
Based in the city of Fortaleza, the Estadio Castelao is home to Ceara and Fortaleza. The stadium had a renovation with its seating capacity being increased to 58,704, along with the unveiling of an underground car park with 1,900 spaces, executive boxes, a VIP area, media centre, mixed zone and fully refurbished dressing rooms.
Fixtures: 14 June, Uruguay v Costa Rica; 17 June, Brazil v Mexico; 21 June, Germany v Ghana; 24 June, Greece v Ivory Coast; 29 June, Second-round, Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A; 4 July, Quarter-final, Winner Second-round 1 v Winner Second-round 2.
#6 Arena Amazonia
With a seating capacity of 42,377 spectators, the Arena Amazonia will be hosting four group-phase matches at Brazil 2014. The stadium has been surrounded by a lot of controversies, including the death of many of it's contruction workers.
Fixtures: 14 June, England v Italy; 18 June, Cameroon v Croatia; 22 June, United States v Portugal; 25 June, Honduras v Switzerland.
#7 Estadio das Dunas
The Estadio Joao Claudio de Vasconcelos Machado, or as the Brazillian natives would call it 'Machadão', has a seating capacity of 42,086. The stadium has been built in such a way, so as to replicate sand dunes in a desert.
Fixtures: 13 June, Mexico v Cameroon; 16 June, Ghana v United States; 19 June, Japan v Greece; 24 June, Italy v Uruguay.
#8 Estadio Beira-Rio
The Estadio Beira-Rio, the largest football ground in the south of Brazil was opened back in 1969 after ten years of contruction work. It is home to club Internacional and will boast a seating capacity of 50,287.
Fixtures: 15 June, France v Honduras; 18 June, Australia v Netherlands; 22 June, South Korea v Algeria; 25 June, Nigeria v Argentina; 30 June, Second-round, Winner Group G v Runner-up Group H.
#9 Arena Pernambuco
The Arena Pernambuco has been home to Nautico, Santa Cruz, and Sport and has already hosted one match at the 1950 FIFA World Cup Brazil. The stadium will be able to fit upto 42,849 spectators.
15 June, Ivory Coast v Japan; 20 June, Italy v Costa Rica; 23 June; Croatia v Mexico; 26 June, United States v Germany; 29 June, Second-round, Winner Group D v Runner-up Group C.
#10 Estadio do Maracana
The largest stadium in Brazil, Estadio do Maracana will be packing in crowds of up to 73,531 supporters. The stadium will be hosting seven matches including the Final on 13 July.
Fixtures: 15 June, Argentina v Bosnia-Hercegovina; 18 June, Spain v Chile; 22 June, Belgium v Russia; 25 June, Equador v France; 28 June, Second-round, Winner Group C v Runner-up Group D; 4 July, Quarter-final, Winner Second-round 5 v Winner Second-round 6; 13 July, World Cup final.
#11 Arena Fonte Nova
Based in Salvador, Arena Fonte Nova has a seating capacity of 52,048 speactators. Its unusual horse-shoe design is what sets it apart from the other stadiums.
Fixtures: 13 June, Spain v Netherlands; 16 June, Germany v Portugal; 20 June, Switzerland v France; 25 June, Bosnia-Hercegovina v Iran; 1 July, Second-round, Winner Group H v Runner-up Group G; 5 July, Quarter-final, Winner Second-round 3 v Winner Second-round 4.
#12 Arena de Sao Paulo
Home to Corinthians, the Arena de Sao Paulo will be hosting the opening match of the tournament along with five other matches. The stadium is still undergoing heavy renovation and is expected to be completed by the end of February 2014.
Fixtures: 12 June, Brazil v Croatia; 19 June, Uruguay v England; 23 June, Netherlands v Chile; 26 June, South Korea v Belgium; 1 July, Second-round, Winner Group F v Runner-up Group E; 9 July , Semi-final, Winner Quarter-final 3 v Winner Quarter-final 4.
