Report: Brazil needs $40B for World Cup infrastructure

SAO PAULO (AP) - The cost of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil could reach more than $40 billion in infrastructure alone, according to a report released on Wednesday.

The 12 cities hosting matches in 2014 have projected spending a total of 79.4 billion reals ($41.7 billion) to prepare for football's biggest showcase, Globo's G1 Web site said.

The total includes costs for new stadiums and improvements in transportation, public safety, health systems and several other areas, G1 said after analyzing the projects of each city. The money for the projects is expected to come from both the public and private sectors.

Nearly half of the total investments are expected to take place in Sao Paulo, South America's biggest city, which plans to spend $19.1 billion.

The nation's capital, Brasilia, said it plans to spend only $315 million, mostly in the renovation of Mane Garrincha Stadium.

This month, the mayors for the host cities said they need to start infrastructure work as soon as possible in order to have everything ready in time for the tournament.

The cities hosting matches are Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, Brasilia, Curitiba, Salvador, Recife, Natal, Fortaleza, Manaus and Cuiaba.