Sao Paulo stadium given clearance for World Cup opener between Brazil and Croatia

Itaquerao stadium, also known as Arena de Sao Paulo and Arena Corinthians.

Sao Paulo, June 10 Brazilian authorities have given clearance to Sao Paulo's Itaquerao stadium to host the World Cup opener between Brazil and Croatia Thursday.

State news service Agencia Brasil said the city's fire department approved the venue following an inspection of its temporary stands Monday, reports Xinhua.

The Itaquerao is scheduled to host six World Cup matches, including a semi-final July 9.

Construction work at the venue has been marred by delays and the deaths of three workers.

The stadium will seat 61,600 fans, about 6,000 less than originally planned.