FIFA concern over 2014 World Cup venues

FIFA have revealed that a host of new stadiums being built for the 2014 World Cup will not be ready in time to be tested at a tournament next year.

On Thursday, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Salvador and Fortaleza were named as the host cities for the 2013 Confederations Cup, but a number of venues currently under construction are running behind schedule.

FIFA communications director Walter Gregorio revealed that it was hoped the new stadia could be used next year, as a warm-up for the 2014 World Cup, but this will now not happen as a result of concerning delays.

“We always said that the stadiums should be delivered by the end of the year, and only two of them will meet the deadline,” he revealed at a press event in Sao Paulo.

“Belo Horizonte and Fortaleza are our models right now, the others are late and will be done by February.

“There’s a technical report, and there’s a political commitment. We are happy with this solution, but still worried some of the stadiums didn’t meet the deadline.”

Jose Maria Marin, who is the local organising committee’s president, was more positive, but admitted that time was tight on the building of the venues.

“In some cases, we’re on a tight schedule. But we had to consider the importance of the Confederations Cup for the local economy, and as a test for the World Cup,” he said.