Maradona was appointed by the AFA in November 2008, but four defeats in his 10 games in charge have left Argentina in fifth place in the South American qualifying group with two games to play.

BBC: Maradona denies threat to resign

Rio de Janeiro beat out Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid to become the first South American city to host the Games, something President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva made clear during his pitch to the International Olympic Committee.

CNN: Brazilians celebrate Olympics bid in Rio de Janeiro

With three games to play, Brazil lead the South American group with 30 points, three clear of Chile and Paraguay, who both remained on course Saturday to claim two of the three remaining qualifying berths.

CNN: Brazil win in Argentina to seal World Cup berth

The Paraguay keeper denied Villa as Spain threatened on the break in the final seconds but a second goal would have been harsh on the South American side, who conceded just twice in their five games in South Africa.

BBC: Paraguay 0-1 Spain

With the 2014 soccer World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games to be staged in Brazil , the South American's growing sporting prominence has been recognized with the addition of a second Brazilian tournament in Florianopolis for 2014, adding to an event which will debut in Rio de Janiero this year.

CNN: Tennis to land in Li Na's hometown

South American-inspired residences include sprawling balconies that can accommodate large extended families for dining and playing games.

WSJ: Romancing the Overseas Buyer��WSJ Mansion

All this has paid off: Venezuela's football team, long embarrassing also-rans in South America, has become competitive, and the country has won many more medals at the two latest Pan-American games than in the past.

ECONOMIST: The president-fan reaps a sporting harvest