South Africa may only be eight months away from hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, but across the Atlantic Ocean Brazil is hard at work preparing for not one, but two major sporting events.

Having just been awarded the rights to host the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and with the 2014 FIFA World Cup secured some time ago, its all eyes on the world's major sporting events for this South American giant.

A delegation from Brazil is currently in South Africa on a fact finding mission as part of its preparations for hosting a FIFA World Cup, with their first port of call being the headquarters of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee (OC), SAFA House.

Heading up the Brazilian delegation, member of parliament Silvio Torres engaged with 2010 OC CEO Danny Jordaan about the experiences of putting together a World Cup.

"The experience South Africa and the Organising Committee now has is invaluable for us in organising our World Cup in five years time. It seems that the process here is well organised and it is obvious that there is great cooperation between the South African government and the Organising Committee in putting this together," commented Torres.

With the rare honour of hosting two of the world's largest sporting events in the space of two years, Torres believes it is an opportunity to create a major legacy for Brazil.

"Our infrastructure development will greatly improve from these two events and the 12 host cities of the World Cup will be improved substantially to host the tournament. It is a great thing for Rio de Janeiro with the Olympics and a great thing for Brazil. We will be on the map," said Torres.

Jordaan reiterated the massive infrastructure legacy of the World Cup to the group of Brazilians.

"If you landed at the Johannesburg's airport (OR Tambo International) before 2004,when we were granted the rights to host,you would have seen an old and dilapidated airport with an apartheid-era style to it. In 2010 when you arrive at this airport you will see a modern and sophisticated facility that will be able to handle 27 million passengers a year."Jordaan emphasised the importance of infrastructure development related to the tournamentbeing sustainable once it is over.

"These improvements can only be sustained with a growth in tourism and with the World Cup in South Africa we expect major growth here. Currently we get 9.5 million tourists a year and by 2014 we expect to see some 15 million arriving annually - many of them largely as a result of 2010."

Although they are hard at work putting together a plan for 2014 and beyond, Torres is confident that Brazilians have not lost their appetite for World Cup football in 2010.

"I believe many Brazilians will fly over to South Africa for the World Cup. Already we are seeing people make plans for this and everyone is excited to see Brazil play in South Africa in 2010. The buzz is definitely there."

Having already lifted the FIFA Confederations Cup Trophy in South Africa earlier in the year, Brazil is certainly one of the favourites to lift the coveted World Cup trophy in Soccer City on 11 July 2010.