BRASILIA, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Joseph Blatter, president of the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA), on Thursday said that Brazil deserves the 2014 soccer World Cup, but must build the facilities the sport needs.

    "The ball is now in Brazil's court. The bar is set very high in organizational terms, considering the great success of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups," Blatter, a Swiss citizen, told reporters following a meeting with the Brazil Soccer Federation president, Ricardo Teixeira, and the nation's president, Luiz Inacio da Silva, and Brazil sports minister, Orlando Silva.

    Blatter said that the Pan American Games, to be held in Rio de Janeiro in July 2007, will show if Brazil can host the 2014 World Cup.

    Brazil must have a minimum of 10 world-class stadiums in order to host the competition, Blatter said, adding that FIFA will make a formal announcement about the Cup at the end of 2007.

    "Brazil's football is great: it has a great history and worldwide respect. (Hosting) the Cup would be an act of gratitude to the Brazilian people, but there is some fear about basic conditions," Blatter said.

    The International Basketball Federation recently criticized Brazil for the organization of sport's World Championship for women, which took place this month in Sao Paulo.

    Teixeira told reporters that Brazil must build new stadiums to qualify.

    "We have to build 10 to 12 new stadiums, in a maximum of 12 cities... this is not news," the CBF boss said. "But maybe we can refurbish one or two stadiums."

    Blatter said that a FIFA delegation will visit Brazil and meet sporting and government officials, and possibly business groups interested in the organization of the 2014 World Cup.

    Initial talks suggested that the stadiums will be build with private money, while governments at federal, regional and municipal level would pay for infrastructure, transport and security.

    Silva, the sports minister, told media that the meeting participants had discussed the possibility that Brazil National Bank for Economic and Social Development could provide financing for the event.

    Brazil's opposition objected to the meeting between Blatter andd a Silva, more frequently known in Brazil as "Lula" meaning squid.

    Rival parties said it was an act of political campaigning ahead of Sunday's general elections, in which the president is standing for re-election.

    However, if FIFA confirms Brazil as hosts for the World Cup and Lula wins a second term, the Cup will take place four years after the 2010 end of his second term.

    After Brazil, Blatter will travel to the South American Football Federation in Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay, accompanied by Teixeira. Enditem