The hosting of the 2014 World Cup is "a great opportunity" for Brazil, the country's all-time great Pele said on Sunday.

Pele revealed his confidence that the tournament will be a memorable one for all the right reasons while also backing Luiz Felipe Scolari's Brazil team to handle the huge pressure of being host.

Brazil's organization of the World Cup has been marred by negative headlines about the struggle to get some of the 12 stadiums finished on time.