Rio de Janeiro, Dec 14: The Italian football federation has chosen the Portobello Resort near Rio de Janeiro as the Azzurri's 2014 World Cup base.

Located in the town of Mangaratiba, 120 km west of Rio, the venue was featured on a list of FIFA-approved training bases earlier this year, reported Xinhua.

It comprises hospitality, a football pitch and a press centre.

The Azzurri, who announced the decision on the Italian federation's official website on Friday, will arrive in Rio on June 5.

Their first match is against England on June 14 in the Amazonian city of Manaus. It will be followed by clashes against Costa Rica in Recife on June 20 and Uruguay in the northeastern city of Natal June 24.

Meanwhile, the German football federation has announced it will build its own football base near Porto Seguro in the northeastern state of Bahia.

Dubbed Campo Bahia, the precinct will include 14 double-storey apartments for the squad's players and officials.

IANS