Brazil president Rousseff tells FIFA chief Blatter that country will be ready for World Cup
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In this July 1, 2013 file photo, Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff gives a news conference in Brasilia, Brazil. Rousseff's popularity has dipped five percentage points ahead of October's presidential elections, according to a poll published by the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper on Sunday, April 6, 2014. Datafolha attributed the drop in Rousseff's popularity to rising inflation and fears of unemployment and lower purchasing power. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres, File) (The Associated Press)
FIFA President Sepp Blatter says he has been "reassured" by Brazil's president that the country will be ready to host the World Cup.
Blatter said in a statement he had "another very positive phone conversation" with Dilma Rousseff on Thursday. She told him that "all will be in place to welcome the teams and the fans" at the World Cup in nine weeks.
Rousseff's press office said she was told by Blatter that he is "certain" the World Cup in Brazil will be "the most successful ever."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The statements come as Brazil struggles to finish all the work needed for the World Cup, with stadiums, airports and other infrastructure work significantly delayed.
They also come as the IOC said severe delays in Rio are threatening the 2016 Olympics.