FIFA's inspection team arrived in Brazil on Thursday for a 10-day visit that could be key for the nation's bid to host the 2014 World Cup.
According to the Herald the team will evaluate the 18 cities hoping to host matches if the competition takes place in Latin America's biggest country, the Brazilian Soccer Confederation said.
Brazil is the sole candidate to stage the 2014 World Cup and is likely to get it if FIFA remains committed to a South America-based tournament under its continental rotation policy. But the soccer governing body has already said that it can stage the competition in another region if Brazil fails to meet the requirements for the quadrennial event.
FIFA's inspection team will hear presentations from Brazilian cities until Monday in Rio de Janeiro, and will then travel to visit stadiums in the nation's capital of Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Sao Paulo, Porto Alegre and Rio de Janeiro again.
The team is expected to attend the Brazilian league match between Flamengo and Goias on Sunday at the Maracana stadium in Rio.
FIFA's executive committee will decide on Oct. 30 whether Brazil can host the event. The country will have a final opportunity to present its bid to the committee on Oct. 29.