Maracana to host local matches until May: FIFA

Maracana stadiumrazil

Rio de Janeiro, Jan 17 Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium will be available for use by Brazilian clubs until a month before the World Cup begins June 12, world football’s governing body, FIFA said.

The declaration Thursday followed FIFA’s first official inspection of the Maracana since last June’s Confederations Cup, reports Xinhua.

“The point of this visit was not to redesign the stadium — it’s a beautiful stadium,” FIFA delegate Chris Unger said.

“The purpose is to review, together with the local organising committee, FIFA, the host city and the stadium operator findings from the Confederations Cup and adaptations we need to make for the World Cup.”

The Maracana will host seven World Cup matches, including the final on July 13.

Last month the stadium’s groundsmen began a turf renewal process after a heavy schedule from Brazil’s domestic competitions in the second half of 2013.

The Maracana staged 52 matches in the six months after its June 2 reopening, which followed a three-year, $500 million revamp.