Another yearly status about the perspectives of the World Cup 2014 in Brazil; check out the 2011 report.
Stadiums are still delayed; the Confederations Cup will be held in June 2013, and FIFA confirmed only four stadiums to stage the games: Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro and Fortaleza; Recife and Salvador may also host games, provided that the works in the respective stadiums move faster until June 2012, when a decision will be made.
All other six host cities are out of the Confederations Cup, which means that the stadiums of those cities will not be ready before December 2013. So, if everything goes as planned (there are notices that the workers will go on strike for better salaries), there will be less than six months for these venues to be actually tested.
The Local Committee, as usual, denies the delays; however, facts are stronger. The image below show the actual stage of Arena das Dunas, stadium of Natal, in January 2012.
The most advanced stadium is the Castelao, in Fortaleza. FIFA visited Fortaleza in January 2012 and was impressed; there are strong rumors that Fortaleza will host the final draw of the World Cup.
The situation of airports is even worse than in 2011. The only new “expansion” was in the airport of São Paulo, but the ceiling of the new space collapsed a few days later.
The Federal Government admitted, very late, that they have no money and no competence to properly administer the chaotic situation of airports in Brazil, and started the process of privatizing the major airports; so far, two airports in Sao Paulo and one in Brasilia have been auctioned.
And a new factor came into discussion: the legalities of the Cup.
To protect their interests and their sponsors’, FIFA have a series of demands, which must be clearly satisfied in a General Law of World Cup, to be approved by the Brazilian Congress.
For example, Brazilian law currently restricts the selling of alcohol in the stadiums, and this contradicts the interests of Budweiser, a major sponsor. Besides, even though Brazilian law already prohibits ambush marketing, FIFA want all the penalties to be increased. Also, FIFA want the Brazilian Government to take responsibility for any unpredictable loss; for example, in case of a natural disaster during the World Cup, the Brazilian Government would have to compensate FIFA for their losses.
Ticket prices and distribution scheme were not announced yet. However, attending request of the Brazilian Government, FIFA already confirmed that the cheapest tickets will cost US$ 25, to be sold only to the poorer Brazilians.
Come back soon for more news.