Even though FIFA, the international soccer governing organization, initially wanted work on all arenas completed by the end of last year, workers still were scurrying around last week at the three laggard stadiums.
The first full test event at the privately owned Curitiba stadium, which has been plagued by a recent workers’ strike and financing problems, is scheduled this Tuesday. The only full-capacity rehearsal at the new Sao Paulo arena, where three workers have died in construction accidents, is set for next Sunday.
During a press briefing in Zurich on Thursday, FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke said for the Sao Paulo opener “we need to have a level of operation which is perfect.”
He said he’s also concerned about the fan experience. “I think the biggest challenges will be for them,” Valcke said. Not only will they find high prices in major cities, but they could face travel delays in a continent-sized country with limited transportation options.
AT AIRPORTS, ‘ONGOING PROJECT’
There also could be bottlenecks at airports — some that have needed to be updated for decades — as 600,000 international fans, 3 million Brazilians and teams and trainers from 32 countries move around South America’s largest country.
“That’s one of the concerns,” conceded Fernandes. “We need to improve operations of our airports. It’s an ongoing improvement project.”
Brazil has embarked on an ambitious program to update its airports. It has 30 airport projects underway and has granted concessions to private operators at three. But all the upgrades promised for World Cup won’t be completed.
The daily newspaper Folha de São Paulo has reported that a 28-gate, $900.3-million terminal at Viracopos International Airport in the state of Sao Paulo that was supposed to be delivered this Sunday won’t be fully operational for the World Cup. Seven national teams plan to use the airport during the Cup as their base for domestic flights
Read more here:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/05/13/4113273/brazil-down-to-the-wire-on-world.html#storylink=cpy
Read more here:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/05/13/4113273/brazil-down-to-the-wire-on-world.html#storylink=cpy
I don't expect a lot of activity on this thread until the start on June 12th. I don't know how many international football fans are out here on this forum but it should be very fun.
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