Symbolic handover of the World Cup from Brazil to Russia

Rio de Janeiro, 13 July 2014

In about two hours, the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil will come to a close. Brazil is immensely proud of having had the opportunity to, once more, host the world’s largest celebration of football, a sport that so delights and fascinates us.

Over the last thirty days, the whole world has turned its attention to Brazil, watching exciting matches, celebrating almost 200 goals and getting caught up in the thrill of unexpected results. A great deal of excitement was felt in the stadiums and in the 12 host cities, making this tournament the Cup of Cups.

I am certain that all of those who have come to Brazil – delegations, national teams and tourists alike – will take home with them the experience of getting to know a beautiful country built by a loving, welcoming people, where diversity is the rule. We Brazilians will hold dear the thrill and satisfaction of having hosted such a successful event, a World Cup that was not perfect only because Brazil’s sixth title didn’t come.

Football fans worldwide now turn their eyes to Russia, a special country with a very rich culture that will have the honor of hosting the next edition of football’s greatest spectacle. I wish the Russian people great success in organizing and hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

We Brazilians from all corners of this immense, beloved country, want to invite the world to come back for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic games, which we will host with the same competence and hospitality we have devoted to the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Thank you very much.

Dilma Rousseff