Chilean FA Signs Deal to be Based in Belo Horizonte for 2014 World Cup

The Chilean FA has followed Argentina in signing an agreement to be based in central Belo Horizonte during next year’s FIFA World Cup.

The agreement was signed between Chilean FA President,Sergio Jadue, and reigning Brazilian league champions, Cruzeiro, to use their world class facilities during next year’s tournament. 

Known as ‘Toca da Raposa’ [The Fox Hole], the state of the art facility, regarded as one of the best training centres in Brazil, occupies 8,300 square metres and is complete with four full sized football pitches, a heated swimming pool and an on-site 25 room hotel with restaurants, games rooms, a movie theatre, administrative offices and a media centre.

Located in Belo Horizonte’s Pampulha district, Toca da Raposa is only 8km from the newly renovated Mineirão Stadium, the 62,500 seat multi-purpose venue that will host six matches, including a semi-final during next year’s tournament.

The news follows the announcement in October that Argentina will also be based in Belo Horizonte, at Atlético Mineiro’s Cidade do Galo training complex.

Argentina, along with England, Colombia, Belgium, Greece, Algeria, Iran and Costa Rica will play group games in Belo Horizonte and if hosts and tournament favourites, Brazil, win their group, they will also play their last 16 match in the city.

Speaking about the announcement, Sergio Jadue, President of the Chilean FA, said: “This is a modern training centre with the appropriate privacy for the team and our delegation, it’s not by accident that Cruzeiro are the 2013 Brazilian league champions.”

Camillo Fraga, Municipal Secretary for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, said: “We are delighted that Chile, alongside Argentina, will use Belo Horizonte as a base during the FIFA World Cup and we welcome their players, officials and fans. This is a big boost for the city and an excellent opportunity for us to welcome tourists from neighbouring Latin American countries as well those who will travel in from around the world.

“The fact that two top class teams will use Belo Horizonte and its fantastic facilities is a great endorsement for the city and it makes us very proud. The FIFA World Cup is providing us with an opportunity to show the world what the city has to offer and we must capitalise on this to create a lasting legacy of international sports events and improved infrastructure that will benefit the whole of the region.

“Our plans are really taking shape ahead of this wonderful festival football and we are excited and ready to welcome world the Belo Horizonte.”