ZURICH, Switzerland - Brazil was chosen host of the 2014 World Cup on Tuesday, returning the showcase event to the soccer-mad country that held the tournament in 1950 and has captured the title a record five times.

People wave flags at the Christ the redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007, after Brazil was officially chosen by FIFA as host of the 2014 World Cup. [Agencies] Brazil was the only candidate and won in a unanimous vote by the executive committee of the sport's governing body.

"Soccer is not only a sport for us," Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said. "It's more than that: Soccer for us is a passion, a national passion."

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Brazil now has "not only the right, but the responsibility" to organize the 2014 tournament. Blatter then handed the World Cup trophy to Lula.

Lula, who flew in for the announcement, promised that Brazil "will now with great pride do its homework." And, he added, "if everything works out well, we will win once again a World Cup."

The vote came on the same day the 2011 Women's World Cup was awarded to Germany. Germany, the host of the 2006 men's World Cup, beat out Canada.

After the withdrawal of Colombia in April, Brazil was the sole candidate, the choice of the South American continent enjoying the right to host the event. Brazil had been told by FIFA it wasn't guaranteed the tournament simply because there were no opponents, saying it had to provide a solid bid package.

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