Exeter City to play 'Brazil' - 100 years after first fixture

The Brazil team in 1914. Credit: Exeter City Football Club

Exeter City Football Club and Fluminense Football Club have today announced that they will recreate the most historic game in the history of Exeter and Brazilian football.

On Sunday July 20, 2014 Exeter City will play against a team made up of players from Fluminense and other Brazilian sides in a repeat of the game regarded as the country's first international fixture.

As remarkable as it sounds in 1914 Exeter City were the first team to play against Brazil. The side set sail from Southampton aboard the SS Andes on an 18 day voyage to South America. The sea journey itself would have been an incredible experience for the young players from Devon but what followed is now footballing folklore.

After playing games in Argentina, Exeter played three matches in Brazil, even beating Rio De Janeiro.

The Brazilians then selected an ultimate side from Rio and Sao Paulo combined to beat the professionals which they did 2-0 and the national team was born.

A poster for the Brazil v Exeter City match in 1914. Credit: Exeter City Football Club

Brazil are the most successful country in world football having won the World Cup five times.

Their supporters are passionate about the game and the famous match against Exeter City in 1914 has legendary status in Brazil because of what followed.

Brazil players celebrate winning the World Cup in 2002. Credit: Gabriel Piko/EMPICS/Gabriel Piko

The match will be played in Rio De Janeiro but not at the world famous Maracana stadium, venue for next year's world cup final and where England played against Brazil last month.

Instead it will be at the same ground as the original game, Fluminense's former stadium at Laranjeiras.

Matches against other Brazilian teams are expected to be announced at a later date along with details for supporters wishing to travel to Brazil.

Fluminense FC's fans celebrate winning the 2012 Brazilian Championship. Credit: PA