The stadium billed to host the opening match of the 20th FIFA World Cup may not be ready until less than a month before the start of the tournament.
Works at the Arena de Sao Paulo, which hosts the opening game between Brazil and Croatia, would go on until almost few days to kick-off.
FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said: “There are no more deadlines. We are 104 days before the first day in Sao Paulo in a stadium which will not be ready before 15 May.
“The goal is that on 12 June until 13 July everything will be working.”
Valcke admitted: “It’s true when you receive something late it’s a challenge.
“It’s a bit last-minute but it will work at the end and the teams will have the best because for sure the stadiums are beautiful. It’s not a criticism, it is just a challenge for the organisers.”
Two workers died at the Sao Paulo stadium in November when a crane fell and damaged parts of the stadium.
The Curitiba stadium, which is due to host four group stage matches- including Nigeria’s opening game against Iran- is also expected not to be completed until May 15.
However, FIFA had, last month, notified the Arena de Baixada will carry on with its hosting of
cup games.
