FIFA backs Brazil despite 2014 World Cup delays

World football governing body FIFA has backed Brazil to have its 2014 World Cup stadiums and infrastructure ready in time despite construction delays.

Only two venues are so far ready for the Confederations Cup in June, considered an organisational warm-up for the World Cup, Xinhua reports.

“It’s all a question of trust and confidence,” FIFA President Sepp Blatter said after a meeting with the World Cup organising committee on Tuesday.

“They will be ready because it is the World Cup and no one can afford not to be ready for the World Cup,” he said.

Rio’s Maracana Stadium, which will host the final of both the Confederations Cup and the World Cup, has an April 27 deadline for the completion of re-development work.

The venue last week had its playing surface laid but is still awaiting the installation of a fibreglass roof.

The six World Cup stadiums that will not host Confederations Cup matches have been given until December for completion.

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