"The financial restraint that the covid-19 pandemic has forced has meant that the government does not think this is the right time for us to apply for the financial guarantees requested by Fifa," the Brazilian federation CBF writes in a statement.
CBF also writes that Brazil now wholeheartedly supports Colombia's application as host country. In addition to Colombia, Japan and a joint bid from Australia and New Zealand remain in the fight to hold the World Cup 2023 at home.