FIFA World Cup 2014 Opening Ceremony To Be Moved? FIFA Official Worried Over Delay In Stadium Construction

Brazil has only three months left to complete their preparations for the biggest football event in the world, the FIFA World Cup 2014. The hosts still have to complete a couple of stadiums and install IT systems in a very limited number of days. The country has more than 100 days before the opening but the deadline for works is set 10 days earlier. With this delay, some are thinking that the FIFA World Cup 2014 Opening Ceremony might be moved to a later date.

"We are 104 days before the first game in Brazil, in Sao Paulo, in a stadium which is not ready," said  FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke  who also confirmed that the Sao Paulo Stadium where the opening will be held will not be ready "before the 15th of May."

Aside from the one in Sao Paulo, Curitiba is another of the 12 stadium that is in danger of not beating the deadline.

"We are working in conditions where the cement is not even dry," Valcke said as Tuesday's 100-days-to-kickoff milestone approaches.

"We still have to install all the IT solutions for the media. Without IT and without the telecommunications in place in the stadium you will say we are the worst organizers and it was the worst event. But to install the IT in a stadium, it needs at least 90 days and we have to work for all the people who have an interest, our commercial partners, our media partners, hospitality."

Although he is worried, Valcke remains optimistic about the upcoming event.

"The ball starts rolling on June 12 until July 13 and I think things will work well then but it is also true that whenever you receive something late, it becomes a challenge to make it ready in time," Valcke added.

He also cleared that he is not criticizing organizers in Brazil.

"There is no criticism, there is just a challenge," he said at FIFA headquarters. "For sure the stadiums are beautiful. It will work and you will have what you expected."

Tags
FIFA World Cup
2014
Brazil
Sao Paulo stadium
Jerome Valcke
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