Brazil’s preparations for the tournament have been hit by reports that development work at the 12 venues has been sidetracked by delays, with some stadia struggling to meet FIFA deadlines. Stadia in Sao Paulo and Natal have caused particular concern and while work has now begun at the former, development is yet to start at the latter.
“We have stadia which are still being built and these must be ready by December 2013 to be in an extremely calm and comfortable situation,” said Rousseff, according to AFP. “There are others which are a little more delayed but all will be ready. I feel confident that Brazil will be ready in 2014 to present the best World Cup.”
Rousseff added: “We (the government) together with the governors and the mayors of the cities of the World Cup are taking all necessary measures to ensure that this will happen.” The President’s comments have come after FIFA president Sepp Blatter last month declared that a new confidence had been established with Brazil’s organising committee regarding preparations for the World Cup.
