As the Fifa World Cup draws to a close once again, there are few who would argue that this tournament has been one that has commanded an enormous amount of attention – both on and off the field.
But, whereas fans and pundits have been captivated by the drama, skill and newly discovered talent amongst the competition, there will no doubt be others who will look to the wider social impact of the tournament on the host nation, Brazil.
From the outset, the Brazil 2014 was something a little different. Promising to bring the beautiful game back to its spiritual home in South America, the nation stood uncontested as the sole bidder for the tournament, once Columbia retracted the only competing offer that remained in the running. In the years leading up to the opening match on June 12th, there can be few people who remained wholly oblivious to the controversies - and the logistical problems - that the nation was forced to cope with whilst preparing to host the world's largest soccer tournament.
However, if the tournament organisers can create a successful and lasting legacy by breathing new life into their multi-billion dollar facilities, then the Brazilian public may not look upon this World Cup as a disaster. Perhaps the deciding factor in how Brazil learns to cope with the aftermath of its over-budget and under-performing World Cup will be found in the stadiums themselves.
The twelve multi-million dollar stadiums that were built, rebuilt and improved in preparation for the World Cup are spread across every region of Brazil. Whilst this means vast improvements to major southern city stadia in Rio and Sao Paulo, it has also seen large scale redevelopment in isolated regions - most famously in Manaus.
Anybody who has seen images of the derelict Olympic City in Sarajevo will dread to see the Brazilian developments fall into a similar state of disrepair. So how can these World Cup constructions be put to work, post-tournament?
Wasted potential...
There is little denying the potential for the state-of-the-art complexes, but history is not on the side of the Brazilians. World class venues are difficult and expensive to maintain, and even harder to put to use in a way that can turn a profit. Though both the public and organisers will be keen to see the stadiums retained as sports or entertainment venues, there is the very real possibility that these facilities may be converted: either into hospitality, corporate and convention venues, or bulldozed in favour of luxury properties.
Aldo Rebelo, Brazil's current Minister of Sports, has stated that he intends to retain the sports and leisure focus of the venues, if this is possible. Crunching the numbers, however, makes this seem unlikely. The most expensive World Cup in history also takes place in some of the remotest locations, meaning stadiums will cost as much as one thousand US dollars per each visitor they expect to attract over the next four years.
...or bright future?
The upshot of this situation is that Brazil may need to look outwards to find a profitable resolution to their tournament. Foreign investment may allow for further development to stadia and hospitality complexes; the positive coverage of local culture in the north and Amazon regions may attract greater tourism to these less visited parts of the country.
There is a wealth of potential in the South American powerhouse economy. Perhaps the smartest move for Brazil is to embrace its diverse tertiary sector, and allow World Cup facilities to form the focal point for a wider tourism and leisure programme, and not to fight too hard to retain each one of their stadiums solely as sporting venues.
The Brazil 2014 World Cup has brought the background dealings of the tournament to the world's attention like never before. And, whilst this can be seen as a step towards progress and greater public scrutiny, it has perhaps come too late for Brazil: a country which now faces a bill of billions of dollars, at a time when it is already cutting public spending and running a tight austerity programme. When you hear about social unrest, there are few who would argue it is wholly unjustified.
There is little doubt that the infrastructural developments brought to Brazil through the 2014 World Cup offer the nation great scope and potential for future growth. However, it appears as though nobody is entirely certain what fate will befall the stadiums and facilities of the Brazilian World Cup. And that, in itself, is grounds for concern.