Curitiba Remains a 2014 World Cup Venue

Nigeria’s opening Group F match against Iran at the 2014 Fifa World Cup will hold in Curitiba but world football’s governing body insists drastic progress must continue at the venue.

The 40,000 capacity stadium will stage four group games at the tournament.

Fifa had warned that the Arena da Baixada stadium could be excluded from hosting cup games unless work were speed up.

Fifa Secretary General Jerome Valcke During His Inspection of the Arena da Baixada in January.
Fifa Secretary General Jerome Valcke During His Inspection of the Arena da Baixada in January.

However, the Curitiba stadium, home of Brazilian top-flight club Atletico Paranaense has been cleared to continue, after financial guarantees for improvement works were provided by the Parana state government.

Fifa Secretary General, Jerome Valcke, who had earlier stressed the need for acceleration of work at the venue during his tour of the host cities last month, said: “It is essential that the works are maintained at the required levels and that a collective effort by all the stakeholders involved in Curitiba continues.

“It is a race against a very tight timeline and will require regular monitoring, but we are counting on the commitment made by Atletico Paranaense, the city and the state of Curitiba.”

The organisers have brought in about 1,500 extra workers at the site and works are expected to be completed by mid-May.

Ricardo Trade, chief executive of the local organising committee, said: “There is still a lot to be done but we have always been confident that Curitiba will deliver.

“The necessary measures to finish the stadium in time for proper testing are implemented, but close monitoring is key because we have no time to lose.

“Soon it will be time to look forward and plan for the test events and finish operational details for the competition.”