FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke is confident about Brazil’s World Cup preparations, but admits there is still “a lot of work” left to do.
Valcke says he is increasingly confident that Brazil’s hosting of the 2014 World Cup will be a success, even though there is still a lot of work left to get some of the stadiums completed by the December deadline established by FIFA.
He made the comments on Thursday in Rio de Janeiro at the end of an inspection tour at some of the 12 host cities in Brazil.
The secretary general said that with the tickets already on sale, there is no alternative left and Brazil will have to get all 12 venues ready.
Trending
There are also rumours about protests being planned during the World Cup, largely due to its expense.
But Brazil Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo guaranteed that his country would deliver a safe competition, citing the recent Confederations Cup as a success.
On stadium being ready
“Menaus is on its way, there is work created, but definitely there is a lot of work to do. You can never gain time again, there is a limit of time and there are a few months to go, a few weeks to go to the end of December. But most of the stadiums, we have been to three at least, have confirmed they want to play the first game by January 2014.”
Jerome Valcke, FIFA Secretary General
On Successful World Cup
“Yes, there will be a successful World Cup, but now we are not ready,we cannot play the World Cup tomorrow morning because we are still having to work on six stadiums and we have to improve the six stadiums. But there is no doubt about the fact that the success will be there. And whatever happens to the national team in Brazil during this World Cup, I am sure the World Cup in Brazil will be behind this organisation of the World Cup.”
Jerome Valcke, FIFA Secretary General
On security at the World Cup
“There’s nothing to fear regarding World Cup. The World Cup will not only be protected with the security assets of Brazilian nation. It will also be protected because it is an event wanted by the Brazilian people. It’s an event wanted by the world population. The people have joined the World Cup, by buying tickets. It has had more than 300-thousand ticket searches for the opening and final matches.
Aldo Rebelo, Brazil Sports Minister
