Football's world governing body FIFA will allow 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil to stage the tournament in 12 cities rather than 10.
FIFA had initially wanted the tournament to be staged in 10 cities as it believed having fewer venues would make the logistics easier.
Seventeen Brazilian cities have put themselves forward as candidates and a FIFA committee will begin a whirlwind one-week tour of them this weekend.
The candidates are Porto Alegre, Florianopolis, Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Goiania, Campo Grande, Cuiaba, Rio Branco, Manaus, Belem, Salvador, Recife, Natal, Fortaleza and Sao Paulo.
Brazil was the only candidate to stage the 2014 World Cup, however there are concerns about the country's suitability as hosts because of transport and infrastructure problems and a soaring crime rate.
