Without doubt, Brazil ranks among the top bucket-list destinations with its carnival spirit, postmodern architecture and to-die-for beaches and jungle forests. But when the usually avuncular FIFA tartly points out the host country screwed up an unprecedented seven-year head start — then yes, it’s safe to say a mighty unflattering hash tag is looming.
Foot-dragging sprint
Of course, the handwringing looks awfully familiar. Isn’t this the usual foot-dragging/last-minute sprint that happens with all these mammoth sports undertakings? Things turned out fine with the Winter Games in Russia (although not so much with the Crimean peninsula takeover during the Paralympics), the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India. (OK, strike that last one: The corruption was so glaring and the sewage ran so freely, the Olympic committee briefly banned India from Sochi when the country elected the same bumbling secretary general to its Indian Olympic Association.)
The Watchful Investor 