World Cup venues will be ready, Brazil tells Fifa

BBC :    Fifa, football’s world governing body, has no reason to worry about preparations for the 2014 World Cup, Brazilian Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo has told the BBC.

Mr Rebelo was speaking ahead of a meeting at Fifa headquarters in Zurich.

Fifa officials are concerned that some venues in Brazil will not be ready in time for the Confederations Cup in 2013.

That event is seen as a key rehearsal for hosting the World Cup.

Brazil has spent billions refurbishing old stadiums and building new venues for the biggest sporting event in the country’s history.

It is also investing in airports and roads.

But analysts say the work is running behind schedule.

Brazil’s biggest and best-known stadium, Maracana, may not be finished in time to host the closing match of the Confederations Cup on 30 June 2013.