Brazil is considered by many to be the greatest football nation on earth – and the history books certainly don’t lie

With five World Cup triumphs, Brazil are the most successful national team ahead of Italy (four) and Germany (three).

It is fitting, therefore, that they are now set to host the next World Cup finals for the second time.

Brazil is now the second nation to have been selected to host the competition twice, the other being Mexico, who were hosts in 1970 and 1986.

The first time Brazil staged the World Cup was in 1950 when there were just six venues and 14 teams competing with the eventual winners, Uruguay, beating the hosts 2-1 in the final. In 2014, things are different with 12 different venues across the country and 32 teams set to compete.

The size of Brazil may make it very difficult for travelling fans to see more than a few venues, so it will be important to book accommodation well in advance of travelling.

Hotels are currently spending time and money upgrading facilities to make sure that visitors to the country can enjoy high standards of facilities to make their stay as comfortable as possible.

One of the big problems that has to be overcome is the capacity of data and communication networks to handle an estimated 600,000 extra internet users, and with this in mind it has been revealed that overall approximately $10 billion dollars will be spent on tackling the issue.

With this sort of investment, it should be easy to make contact with those back home, upload photos and videos to social networking sites and even make that all-important bet on a favourite team through access sites such as Ladbrokes Sport.

The final is set to be staged at the Estádio do Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro. Although this is not the capital, Rio is certainly the most iconic Brazilian city with amazing attractions to visit, including the statue of Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) set high at the peak of Corcovado Mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park overlooking the city.

Other famous landmarks in the city include Copacabana beach which is a sight that should be seen by all travellers to Rio and Sugarloaf Mountain, which visitors can reach the summit of via two cable cars, eventually reaching a peak of 1,299 feet.