Those potentially looking forward to international soccer's return to the Brazilian jungle may not get what they're hoping for.
FIFA released a statement on Friday in response to the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics organizing committee's announcement of remote Amazonian city Manaus being a potential soccer tournament host city, saying "we do not consider Manaus as a suitable first option for a hosting venue."
Soccer's global governing body elaborated on that position: "Given the Olympic football tournament is only two weeks long, FIFA's preference has also always been on short distances between the other football venues and the Olympic city Rio de Janeiro to provide the participating teams with the best possible Olympic experience."
Manaus hosted four games in the 2014 World Cup, including a group stage game between the US national team and Portugal that ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw. The city is located roughly 1,800 miles from Rio.
Ultimately, FIFA will have a role in deciding the host cities for the soccer tournament at the Olympics, with the decision expected to be made in March. The other cities proposed as hosts for the soccer tournament are Rio, Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte and Salvador.
