BRASILIA, Brazil – Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff says the construction or renovation of nine of the 12 stadiums that will host 2014 World Cup will be finished next year.
Rousseff says in her weekly column published Tuesday that work on the stadiums is proceeding at an "adequate pace."
She says nine stadiums will be ready by December 2012. She says the other three will ready one year later.
The slow pace of stadium construction or renovation is a concern as Brazil prepares for the World Cup, along with the lack of airport infrastructure.
Rousseff says airports in six cities hosting World Cup matches are being expanded, and the bidding process for the renovation of another five airports is under way.