Brazil 2014: World Cup Stadiums May Not Be Ready for June 12 Kick-Off- Valcke

Fifa Secretary General Jerome Valcke has admitted Brazil may not be “totally ready” for the start of the 2014 World Cup because of building project delays.

With 71 days to kick-off of the showpiece, two stadiums are yet to be completed. The stadiums in Porto Allegre and Sao Paulo are already behind schedule and Valcke insists there is no use considering a shift of cup fixtures.

“If you want me to summarise, we are not ready,” Valcke said. “We have two stadiums where there is still work to do.”

Arena de Corinthians Stadium in Sao Paulo May Not Be Ready for World Cup Opening Game.
Arena de Corinthians Stadium in Sao Paulo May Not Be Ready for World Cup Opening Game.

Another construction worker died in the (65,000 capacity) Arena Corinthians stadium, due to host the opening match between Brazil and Croatia, last week.

The death increased the number of fatalities to three following that of two workers last November when a crane collapsed on the roof of the stadium.

A total of eight men have already died working at the sight of the World Cup stadium.

Porto Alegre’s local mayor had said the city may drop out if additional funding was not available to build facilities for media, sponsors and fans. The city’s Beira Rio stadium is due to host five matches during the tournament.

“Maybe there will be things which will not be totally ready at the beginning of the World Cup, but the most important thing for the 32 teams is the training camp and fields,” Valcke added, on returning from his tour of the hosts city last week.

“All of this will be there to ensure you have football.”