FIFA's Brazil World Cup legacy fund a tiny fraction of overall cost

FIFA has set up a $108 million FIFA World Cup Legacy Fund for Brazil, aimed at sports facilities, youth and women's football as well as medical and health projects, but it is a tiny amount compared to what the country spent on the tournament.

A fireworks display is seen over the Maracana stadium after the soccer World Cup final match between Argentina and Germany, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, July 13, 2014. Mario Goetze volleyed in the winning goal in extra time to give Germany its fourth World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Argentina. (AP Photo/Adriana Lorete-Agencia o Globo)

FIFA president Sepp Blatter pledged two years ago to give back some of the 2014 World Cup income to grassroots programs in the South American country, which spent about $18 billion organising the event.

Spending on the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics is expected to top that figure.

FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke, speaking in Sao Paulo, said the World Cup "inevitably has an impact on society and the environment in the host country".

He said organisers had a "responsibility to limit the associated negative effects, while maximising the huge positive impact it can have".

It will take years to assess the impact of the World Cup in Brazil.

It is clear that Brazilian politicians underestimated the costs, stadiums were late getting ready, and many related infrastructure projects were cancelled or have yet to be completed.

On the field, matches were high-scoring and jam-packed, and a heavy police and military presence helped discouraged the kind of protests that overshadowed the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Brazil was eliminated in a stunning 7-1 lost to Germany in the semi-finals.

FIFA, a non-profit organisation based in Switzerland, generated more than $4.8 billion in sales from the 2014 World Cup. The figure could reach $6.1 billion for Russia's 2018 World Cup.

An analysis this month revealed Brazil spent about $3.7 billion on new and refurbished stadiums; 90 per cent of it was public money. Former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had promised all stadiums would be privately financed.

Government officials acknowledged that public holidays associated with the World Cup were partly to blame for the country falling into a technical recession in late 2014.

Four of the 12 stadiums used for the World Cup are almost certain to become white elephants. Some will hosting weddings and children's events to generate income. Several are expected to host a few games for the Rio Olympics.

Valcke said it would "take time to use all the stadiums at their maximum"