FIFA World Cup 2014 Location and Venue News: Brazil Will Be A Well-Done Event Despite Delays, Says Sepp Blatter
FIFA president Sepp Blatter is confident that the upcoming 2014 World Cup in Brazil will be a successful event despite preparation delays.
With less than two months before the tournament kicks off, there are still doubts about whether or not Brazil is really ready to successfully host the upcoming world cup.
According to reports, officials are still unsure whether the venues will be completely ready in time for the opener, and if Brazil can deliver what they promised when they made their hosting bid in 2007.
Three of the stadiums are still under construction at this point, including the venue in São Paulo wherein Brazil will open their campaign against Croatia on June 12.
The organizers also failed to hit FIFA's deadline on the six venues that were used in the Confederations Cup. All six venues were supposed to be completed by the end of 2013, but Brazil failed to beat the deadline. One of the six venues was almost scratched from the list due to completion delays.
But despite the uncertainty surrounding Brazil's hosting of the event, Blatter expressed confidence that the upcoming World Cup will be a well-done event.
"Brazil will be a well-done World Cup," Blatter said, via Fox News. "Some of the delays is because there was no work for years. But we're on the way now to finishing the stadiums."
Due to the delays, FIFA is currently installing temporary structures that are crucial for media coverage, but host cities are reportedly unwilling to pay for the structures as stipulated in the hosting contract.
FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke expressed frustration over the actions of the host cities, while also adding that they will act differently before the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
"All is written, all is signed and all the responsibilities or duties for each party are very well known," Valcke said. "It's a lesson and definitely we will act differently."
Aside from the venue, reports also indicated that airports will not be fully ready for the upcoming event. Observers are also expecting transportation and energy supply problems during the month-long competition.