SAO PAULO – FIFA says it will increase its monitoring of stadium construction in Brazil with the World Cup less than a year away.
Secretary General Jerome Valcke says preparations are entering the final stages. The focus is ensuring that Brazil will have all 12 stadiums ready for soccer's showcase event, which starts next June.
Brazil needs to finish the final six World Cup venues by the end of the year.
There were several delays in stadium delivery for the Confederations Cup earlier this year. FIFA has made it clear that it will not tolerate the same problems.
Valcke says the Confederations Cup was a success. But he admitted there were "a few challenges and deficiencies" that need to be addressed for next year.
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