2014 World Cup gets June 12-July 13 date

SAO PAULO, (AFP) – The 2014 World Cup in Brazil will take place between June 12 and July 13, FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke announced in Rio on Wednesday.

“The World Cup in 2014 will start on June 12 and finish on July 13. I know everyone wants to know the city that will host the opening game of the tournament, but that will be decided in October,” he said.

Five-times champions Brazil will host the tournament for the second time after 1950, when they lost the final at the Maracana stadium to neighbouring Uruguay.

The last South American hosts were Argentina in 1978.

Valcke also confirmed that the Confederations Cup would be held in Brazil between June 15 and June 30, 2013.

The preliminary World Cup draw takes place Saturday in Rio.