By Lavinia Mahlangu

Johannesburg, April 20 (NNN-BUANEWS) Brazil is the sole bidding nation for the right to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup, following Colombia's withdrawal from the bidding process.

"Brazil is now the only remaining candidate for the right to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup after the Colombian football association officially withdrew its candidature on April 11," FIFA, the world football governing body, said on its official Website.

"In a letter addressed to FIFA, Colombian FA president Luis H. Bedoya Giraldo stated that the Colombian FA had decided to withdraw from the bidding procedure. No reason was given for the association's decision."

The Brazilian football association visited the FIFA last week and handed over the Bidding Agreement form that needed to be submitted by April 16, 2007, in order for the country's interest in hosting the 2014 FIFA World Cup to be officially confirmed.

Rui Rodrigues presented the necessary documents to FIFA President Sepp Blatter on behalf of the Confederacao Brasileira de Futebol (CBF), Brazil's national football association.

FIFA outlined the deadlines that the potential host nation must meet.

Brazil now has until the end of July 2007 to complete its bid. The deadline for submission of the bid documentation, including the Hosting Agreement and government guarantees to the FIFA general secretariat, falls on July 31, 2007.

The next steps in the bidding procedure will involve FIFA conducting an inspection visit of Brazil in September 2007, with the inspection group required to submit its report by Nov 1, 2007.

The FIFA Executive Committee is set to officially name the host nation of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in November 2007.